thnēískō

thnēískō θνῄσκω

From a root *θ(ᾰ)ν (*th(ă)n), with inchoative suffix -σκω (-skō).

The root is probably from Proto-Hellenic *tʰnāskō, from Proto-Indo-European *dʰenh₂- (“to set oneself in motion, to take off”), whence Sanskrit धन्व् (dhanv, “to flow”). The meaning "to die" would have developed as euphemism. θνῄσκω is then inherited from Proto-Indo-European *dʰn̥h₂-sḱé-ti.

Older theories:

Pokorny and Frisk compare Sanskrit अध्व॑नीत् (ádhvanīt) (previously translated "he disappeared", but now rather "he fumed"), ध्वा॒न्त (dhvāntá, “dark”), from a Proto-Indo-European *dʰwenh₂-. Beekes doubts this on the basis of the zero-grade forms, which would then be *θῠνεῖν (*thŭneîn), *θῠ́νᾰτος(*thŭ́nătos).
Sihler, following analysis by Kent, refers to Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰn̥h₂-, from *gʷʰen- (“to kill”), from which come θείνω (theínō, “slay”), φόνος (phónos, “murder”), and φᾰτός (phătós, “slain”). However, the phonetic development of *gʷʰ to θ in this position would be irregular. Already rejected by Frisk.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /tʰnɛ̌ːi̯s.kɔː/ → /ˈθnis.ko/ → /ˈθnis.ko/

Verb

θνῄσκω • (thnēískō)

to die; (aorist and perfect) to be dead
(serves as passive of κτείνω (kteínō, “kill”)) to be killed

Usage notes

In the present, the aorist and future, the compound form ᾰ̓ποθνῄσκω (ăpothnēískō) is often substituted.