γέφυρα

γέφυρα (Boeot. βέφυρα Stratt. 47.5), Lacon. δίφουρα Hsch., Cret. δέφυρα GDI 5000 ii b 6 (Gortyn), ἡ (used by Hom. only in Il., always in pl.):—A. dyke, dam, ποταμῷ πλήθοντι ἐοικὼς χειμάρρῳ, ὅς τʼ ὦκα ῥέων ἐκέδασσε γεφύρας· τὸν δʼ οὔτʼ ἄρ τε γέφυραι ἐεργμέναι ἰσχανόωσι Il. 5.88; cf. γεφυρόω: metaph., πολέμοιο γέφυραι, expld. by Sch.Il. as αἱ δίοδοι τῶν φαλάγγων, i. e. the open space between hostile armies, but more prob. limits of the battlefield, Il. 4.371, 11.160, etc.; πόντου γ. of the Isthmus of Corinth, causeway through the sea, Pi. N. 6.39, cf.I. 4(3).20; so, of the causeway between Athens and Eleusis, Carm.Pop. 9; at the Euripus, Str. 9.2.2. II. after Hom., in sg., bridge, γέφυραν ζευγνύναι Hdt. 4.97, cf. 1.75 (pl.); γ. γαῖν δυοῖν ζευκτηρίαν A. Pers. 736; γ. λῦσαι X. An. 2.4.17; πόρον ὑπὲρ γεφυρῶν ἄγοντες Lib. Or. 11.243; also, of a tunnel, ὑποστείχει γ. Philostr. VA 1.25.