[1] The definition comes from scholion D to
Homer,
Iliad 1.303 (cf. 9.6). See also Apollonius'
Homeric Lexicon (97.27) and
Etymologicum Magnum 501.44; cf.
Hesychius' odd
melano/n at kappa2135 (linked with the Homeric passage by Latte but perhaps [RD] of the black ink in the epigram cited here; cf. LSJ at web address 1). The Homeric scholiast is defining the use of the adjective (also at
kappa 1286; cf.
kappa 1287,
kappa 1288) in the neuter with
ai(=ma 'blood'. The use of the two adjectives for black, understandable with clotted blood, has caused some question when applied to blood flowing from a wound (cf. the discussion of
kelaine/fhs in the same sense,
kappa 1284). See Führer; Handschur 193-97, 210ff.; and Dürbeck 306-07, 156.
1Greek Anthology 6.63.3 (Damocharis), an epigram to accompany the dedication of writing materials: lead pencil, ruler, reed pens, etc. – here the inkwells.