ek

Alternative forms

• ἐξ (ex) — before a vowel
• ἐγ (eg) — before β, δ, λ, μ

Etymology

From Proto-Hellenic *eks, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁eǵʰs (“out of”).

Cognates include Latin ex, ē, Old Irish ess-, a, ass (Irish as), Lithuanian ìš, Old Church Slavonic из (iz), Northern Kurdish ji, Albanian ith.

The genitive is from the PIE ablative of separation.

Pronunciation

[ more ▼] 

• IPA^(key): /ek/ → /ek/ → /ek/

Preposition

ἐκ • (ek) (governs the genitive)

1. (of place)
   1. (of motion) Out of, from
   2. from, with the source of

      ἐξ Ἰταλίας

1. 1. ex Italías

      from Italy

1. 1. to denote change from one place or condition to another

      ἐκ τῆς οἰκίᾱς αὐτῶν, κεἰς τὴν μου

1. 1. ek tês oikíās autôn, keis tḕn mou

      from their house, and into mine

1. 1. to express separation of distinction from a number
   2. (of position) outside, beyond
2. (of time)
   1. from, since
   2. (of particular points of time) just, after

      ἐκ τούτου

1. 1. ek toútou

      after this

1. 1. during, in
2. (of origin)
   1. (of materials) made out of something
   2. (of descent, parentage) descended from

      ἐκ πατρὸς εὐγενοῦς

1. 1. ek patròs eugenoûs

      (born) of a noble father

1. 1. ἐκ τῶν ὁμοίων

1. 1. ek tôn homoíōn

      of an equal

1. 1. (of causation) done by someone, something
   2. of the cause, instrument, or means by which a thing is done
   3. from, according to

      ἐκ τοῦ καρποῦ τὸ δένδρον

1. 1. ek toû karpoû tò déndron

      from the fruit the tree (is judged)

1. 1. turns a following noun into a periphrastic adverb
   2. (with numerals) in such an order