sphḗn
sphḗn "Span"
Unknown. Has been linked to Sanskrit स्फ्य (sphya, “oar; spar”) and Proto-Germanic *spēnuz (“chip, shaving”), but this is phonologically impossible due to the aspirated labial (/pʰ/) in Greek. Pre-Greek origin is likely.
- IPA(key): /spʰɛ̌ːn/ → /ˈsɸin/ → /ˈsfin/
σφήν • (sphḗn) m (genitive σφηνός); third declension
- wedge (part of a simple machine); also used as an instrument of torture