Βούτομον

sedge, butomus

Translated by Jennifer Benedict · 11 Jun 2002 · Vetting: high · 5 revisions

Translation

A plant resembling a reed, which oxen [boes] eat.

Greek original

Βούτομον· φυτάριον παραπλήσιον καλάμῳ, ὅπερ ἐσθίουσιν οἱ βόες.

Betacode

*bou/tomon: futa/rion paraplh/sion kala/mw|, o(/per e)sqi/ousin oi( bo/es.

Notes

From the scholia to Aristophanes, Birds 662, where the headword, a noun which can be either masculine or neuter, occurs (web address 1). Identified in LSJ s.v. as Carex riparia, sedge, a reed-like grass which grows on riverbanks and in marshy areas; but Dunbar 420, without mention of this, equates it with Butomus umbellatus, the sharp-edged leaves of which can indeed "cut oxen" (the literal meaning of boutomos) on the mouth or tongue.

References

Aristophanes, Birds, edited with introduction and commentary by Nan Dunbar (Oxford 1995).

External resources

Web address 1 perseus.tufts.edu

Neighbours in Adler order

β467ΒούτηςBoutes, Butes β468ΒουταλίωνBoutalion β469Βούταςherder β470Βούτομονsedge, butomus β471Βουτόροιςox-piercing (ones)β472Βουτύποςox-butcher β473Βουφάγοςox-devouring

Revisions (5)

14 Jun 2011Catharine Rothadded link, raised status
13 Jun 2011David Whiteheadtweaks and cosmetics
12 Jun 2002David Whiteheadaugmented note; added bibliography and keywords; cosmetics
11 Jun 2002Jennifer Benedicttranslated

Notes

From the scholia to Aristophanes, Birds 662, where the headword, a noun which can be either masculine or neuter, occurs (web address 1). Identified in LSJ s.v. as Carex riparia, sedge, a reed-like grass which grows on riverbanks and in marshy areas; but Dunbar 420, without mention of this, equates it with Butomus umbellatus, the sharp-edged leaves of which can indeed "cut oxen" (the literal meaning of boutomos) on the mouth or tongue.