LEKYTHUS Meaning and
Definition
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A lekythus refers to a small ancient Greek ceramic vessel, typically made of terracotta, and characterized by a slender, elongated shape with a narrow neck and a flat, disk-like base. The term "lekythus" originates from the ancient Greek word "lekythos," which can be translated to "oil flask" in English. These vessels were commonly used in ancient Greece for storing and pouring oil, particularly for ritual purposes such as libations or offerings to the gods.
Lekythoi (plural form of lekythus) were particularly prevalent during the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, although variations of this vessel type can be traced back to the 7th century BCE. They were typically crafted by skilled potters and adorned with intricate decorative motifs, including mythological scenes, funerary themes, and daily life scenes. Some lekythoi also featured unique shape variations, such as the white-ground lekythoi used in funeral rituals, which had a white coating and served as grave markers.
The design of a lekythus allowed for easy and controlled pouring of oil, thanks to its narrow neck. These vessels were usually small in size, around 10-30 cm in height, and were predominantly found in burial contexts, indicating their use as grave offerings. Today, surviving lekythoi are valuable archaeological artifacts that provide insight into the ancient Greek culture, religious practices, and burial customs.
Common Misspellings for LEKYTHUS
- kekythus
- pekythus
- oekythus
- lwkythus
- lskythus
- ldkythus
- lrkythus
- l4kythus
- l3kythus
- lejythus
- lemythus
- lelythus
- leoythus
- leiythus
- lektthus
- lekgthus
- lekhthus
- lekuthus
- lek7thus
- lek6thus
Etymology of LEKYTHUS
The word "lekythus" has its origin in Ancient Greek. It comes from the Greek word "lēkýthos" (λήκυθος) which means "oil flask" or "oil jar". The term was used to describe a specific type of pottery vessel that was commonly used in ancient Greece for storing and pouring oils, perfumes, or other liquids. The word "lekythus" has been adopted into English from Greek without significant changes to its form or meaning.
