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χ9Χαλάσω τὴν ἱερὰν ἄγκυρανI will loose the holy anchorAn anchor [features in this phrase] figuratively from ships, [meaning] safety. So Sophocles in Phaedra and Euripides in Hecuba [also use it]. [It is called] holy [meaning that it is] a large [anchor or] …highshort
χ16Χαλεπὰ τὰ καλάexcellent things are difficult[sc. It is on record that] as Pittakos was laying aside his authority, he said to those who were amazed, "It is difficult to be noble." [Also that] Solon, recognizing his weakness, said, "Excellent …highmedium
χ18Χαλεπὸν χορίου κύνα γεύειν[it is] dangerous when a dog tastes [the] afterbirthThe covering of the foetus is called afterbirth [chorion]. Once the dogs have tasted this they scheme against the foetuses too, because of greed.highshort
χ37Χαλκεῖονforge, smithy[The place] in which [sc. bronze-]smiths work. But 'Dodonian bronze' has two senses.highshort
χ42Χαλκιδίζεινto Chalkidize[To Chalkidize] and to be Chalkidian. In reference to those who are being stingy. Also [sc. attested is] to phikidize, in reference to pederasty; since among them sexual acts between males were customary. But …highshort
χ64Χαμαίon the ground[Meaning] on the earth. And [there is] a proverb: 'to draw water on the ground', the equivalent of achieving nothing. Another instance is 'to wash a brick'. Used in reference to things that are …highshort
χ88Χαραδραῖος λέωνravine lion[Meaning] one [which lives] in the ravines. Unless it means the Thespian [lion], which was the first one Heracles killed, in Thespiae. That place is called "Ravine" (xara/dra).highshort
χ90Χαραδριόςcharadrios, ploverA bird, which people suffering from jaundice look at, as the story goes, and easily get over the disease. Hence people who are selling them hide them so that those who are sick will …highmedium
χ96Χάραξpalisade; stakeIn the masculine [it means] an army camp. "The Greeks consider this to be the best stake, one which has the most and the largest projections around its base; whereas amongst Romans stakes have …highshort
χ97Χάραξ τὴν ἄμπελονa stake (deceived) the vine[sc. A proverbial phrase used] when something being preserved is harmed by the thing preserving it.highshort
χ101Χάρητος ὑποσχέσειςChares' promisesChares, an Athenian general, is said to have been both prompt and very eager when it came to his promises. Hence the proverb applies to those making promises glibly.highshort
χ115ΧαρινάδηςCharinadesA proper name. This man was sluggish. And [sc. thereby arose] a proverb: 'Charinades is better than you at walking'. In reference to those making slow progress.highshort
χ123Χάριταςfavors; Graces[Meaning] privileges, kindnesses. "He sent Theodorus to promise favors, in return for the fact that he had honored the greatest emissary of the Romans to the utmost." Also [sc. attested is] a proverb: 'the …highshort
χ124ΧάριταςGraces, favorsThey describe [the] Graces as naked, because favors should be given freely.highshort
χ132ΧάρμοςCharmus, Charmos, Kharmos[It is on record] that Charmus of Syracuse used to utter little verses and proverbs for every one of the dishes served at his banquets. Clearchus of Soli calls the poem Deipnology, others Opsology, …highshort
χ135ΧάρωνCharon[Synonymous with] death. And queries and announcements associated with his ferrying come from Charon [Author, Myth]: "Who [is going] to a rest from evils (toils) and troubles?" "Who [is going] to the Plain of …highmedium
χ157Χαῖρε φίλον φῶςfarewell dear lightWhen a woman wants to misbehave and puts out the lamp, this, they say, is what she says. But others [specify] a bad woman, others an old one.highshort
χ160ΧαιρεφῶνChairephon, Chairephon[A name] applied to pale and withered men. And [there is] a saying: 'you will differ in no way from Chairephon'. Inasmuch as he has been immersed in wisdom. Hence he was also called …highshort
χ162Χαίρεινcheers, hail, take joyThis is a greeting of those who are leaving or even arriving; it is placed at the beginning of letters. "Cheers", a salutation. Some consider it to be placed late in letters; in this …highmedium
χ171ΧαιριδεῖςChairideis[Meaning those] educated from [= by] Chairis. Or practising [sc. with him]. Chairis [was] an uncultured Theban piper. So Attic [writers] say Chairideis from Chairis and peristerideis from peristera\ ['dove']. This man used to …highmedium
χ187Χελιδόνων μουσεῖαswallows' museums[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who do foreign and barbarian things. For the [term] 'swallow' [is] applied to barbarians; for it implies 'Thracian swallow'. And in what follows: "where the swallow …highshort
χ191Χελώνη μυιῶνa tortoise [uncaring] of flies[sc. a proverbial phrase] in reference to those who think little of someone/something. Also [sc. attested is] 'to a tortoise'. "You think your frankness is 'worth four obols', as the saying goes. You do …highmedium
χ192Χελώνης κρέα φαγεῖνto eat the flesh of a tortoiseSee under 'either one should eat the flesh of a tortoise [or not eat it]'.highshort
χ236Χειμὼν ὀρνιθίαςbird storm, bird tempest, fowl wind[Meaning] one that scatters birds upon the earth because of the cold blast; that is, an extremely forceful one, in which even birds perish. It is also called a bird wind. Or [it is …highshort
χ249Χειροβρῶτιwith a hand-gnawing[Referring to] a fetter, one eating both hands off.highshort
χ269Χειρώνειον ἕλκοςCheironian sore, Chironian soreA wound occurring in the feet from [sc. too] much standing, and continuously exuding serums. The proverb applies to intolerable and incurable sores.highshort
χ311ΧίλωνChilon[Genitive] Chilonos; son of Damagetos; a Lakedaimonian, one of the Seven Sages. [The man] who was brief of speech. Hence Aristagoras of Miletos called this manner [of speaking] Chilonian. Also [sc. attested is the …highshort
χ327Χθόνια λουτράunderground baths[Meaning] the ones that are given to the dead; for they used to carry bath-water into the tombs.highshort
χ333ΧλαμύςchlamysNuma, the first king of the Romans, when he received an embassy of the Isaurians and observed their type of apparel, borrowing from them invented the wearing of the chlamys, uniting royalty with the …highmedium
χ362Χοᾶchous; pitcher[*xoa= means the same as] xou=s, an Attic measure, containing eight kotulai. Aristophanes [writes]: "come to dinner quickly, bringing your basket [and your pitcher]." For those inviting [people] to dinner used to provide the …highmedium