Simplest phrases

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ὣς ἔφατ᾽

(Hom. Il. 1.43)

("So he said")

ὣς: "so"

ἔφατ᾽: "he said", contracted form of ἔφατο, imperfect middle 3rd sg of the verb φημί ("I say, I speak").

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ὄχ᾽ ἄριστος

(Hom. Il. 1.69)

("by far the best")

ὄχ᾽: "far", contracted form of ὄχα, adverb indeclinable, used to strengthen the superlative (prob. from ἔχω, "to hold"; ὄχα is to ὀχυρός as the old Germ. fast very, to fest fast, tight). cf. ἔξοχα.

ἄριστος: "the best", adj sg masc NOM (serving as superlative of ἀγαθός)

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ἢν ἐθέλῃσιν

(Hom. Il. 9.429)

("if he wishes")

ἢν: "if" + SUBJUNCTIVE (whereas εἰ is foll.owed by ind. or opt.). Epic form also εἴ κε, or αἴ κε.

ἐθέλῃσιν: "he wishes" (verb 3rd sg pres subj act epic nu_movable), from ἐθέλω ("to will, wish, purpose")

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