μάχαιρα

μάχαιρα [μᾰ], ας (later -ης, dat. -ῃ, PTeb. 16.14 (ii B. C.), Ev.Luc. 21.24, etc.), ἡ, A. large knife or dirk, Il. 11.844, 18.597, 19.252; μ. ἥ οἱ πὰρ ξίφεος μέγα κουλεὸν αἰὲν ἄωρτο 3.271; carving-knife, Pi. O. 1.49, Hdt. 2.61, Ar. Eq. 489, Pl. R. 353a, etc.; κοπίδες μ. E. Cyc. 242; sacrificial knife, Ar. Pax 948, Pl.Com. 91, Michel 832.52 (Samos, iv B. C.):—ἡ Δελφικὴ μ. a knife adapted to various purposes, Arist. Pol. 1252b2, cf. Hsch. s.v. Δελφικὴ μ.; prov., of greedy persons, because Delphian sacrificers claimed a share for the knife, App.Prov. 1.94. 2. as a weapon, short sword, dagger, Pi. N. 4.59, Hdt. 6.75, 7.225, Lys. 13.87, etc.; an assassinʼs weapon, Antipho 5.69; used by jugglers, Pl. Euthd. 294e (pl.), etc.; later, sabre, opp. the straight sword (ξίφος), X. Eq. 12.11, cf. HG 3.3.7, Cyr. 1.2.13, Ev.Matt. 26.52, etc.; οἱ ἐπὶ τῆς μ., of a bodyguard, Arr. Epict. 1.30.7; but, ἐπὶ μ. τασσόμενοι possessing power of life and death (jus gladii), Cat.Cod. Astr.8(4).173; μ. ἱππική cavalry sabre, IG 11(2).161 B 99 (Delos, iii B. C.). 3. μ. κουρίδες, shears or scissors, Cratin. 37; κεκαρμένος μοιχὸν μιᾶ μ., i.e. with one blade, Ar. Ach. 849, cf. Poll. 2.32 (where διπλῇ is f.l.), Hsch. s.v. μιᾷ μαχαίρᾳ; μ. κουρικαί Plu. Dio 9. 4. metaph., διὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ πυρός Zen. 3.19, cf. Posidipp. 1.10; μ. τοῦ πνεύματος Ep.Eph. 6.17, cf. LXX Is. 49.2. II. name of a precious stone, Arist. Mir. 847a5, Ps.-Plu. Fluv. 10.5. III. part of the liver, Ruf. Onom. 180.