Both headword and gloss are neuter nominative/accusative singular, as in (e.g.)
Etymologicum Gudianum and
Etymologicum Magnum, but here without the definite article
to/. Identical entry also in
Timaeus Sophista,
Platonic Lexicon s.v., probably from a scholion to [
Plato],
Axiochus 367B, which could be the original source. Note, nevertheless, the same neuter form and gloss twice in
Nicander, with corresponding
scholia:
Theriaca 187,
Alexipharmaca 157.
An alternative lexicographical tradition (
Hesychius delta2513,
Photius delta792 Theodoridis) is couched in the masculine nominative singular.
The adjective is rare before the Christian era but becomes much more frequent thereafter; first in medical literature (
Philumenus Medicus, Galen,
Aretaeus,
Cassius Iatrosophus) and later, in the Byzantine era, in theology, philosophy, and philology.