γραμμή

γραμμή, ἡ, (γράφω) A. stroke or line of a pen, line, as in mathematical figures, γραμμῆς λόγος ὁ τῶν δύο Pythagorei ap.Arist. Metaph. 1036b12, cf. Pl. Men. 82c, R. 509d, etc.; περὶ ἀλόγων γ. title of work by Democritus, περὶ ἀτόμων γ., title of work ascribed to Arist.: hence γραμμαί, αἱ, astronomy, AP 9.344 (Leon.); also in forming letters, line traced by teacher, Pl. Prt. 326d; outline, opp. σκιά, Metop. ap. Stob. 3.1.116, cf. Plb. 2.14.8; ἡ ἐκτὸς γ. Hero Aut. 27.2. II. = βαλβίς, line across the course, starting- or winning-point, Pi. P. 9.118, cf. Ar. Ach. 483; εὐθὺς ἀπὸ γ. Lib. Or. 59.13: metaph. of life, πέλας γραμμῆς ἱκέσθαι E. El. 956; ἐπʼ ἄκραν ἥκομεν γ. κακῶν Id. Fr. 169; ἡ ἐσχάτη τοῦ βίου γ. D.S. 17.118: hence, boundary-line, edge, dub. l. in Hp. Art. 80; cutting edge of a knife, Gal. 2.673. III. line or square on a chequer-board: hence prov., τὸν ἀπὸ γραμμᾶς κινεῖν λίθον to move a piece from this line, i. e. try oneʼs last chance, Theoc. 6.18 (usu. called ἡ ἱερά (sc. γραμμή), cf. ἱερός) ; αἱ γ. the board itself, Poll. 9.99. 2. διὰ γραμμῆς παίζειν to play at tug-of-war (διελκυστίνδα), Pl.Com. 153.1, Pl. Tht. 181a. IV. ἡ μακρά (sc. γραμμή), v. τιμάω III.1. V. Medic., linea alba, Gal. 2.514. 2. = ζέα, Hippiatr. 1.