ἄγναφος
ágnaphos
G46 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Unfulled, not processed by a fuller; specifically, of cloth or fabric, not yet subjected to the treatment of washing, beating, or pressing that would finish or shrink it. By extension, refers to new or unused cloth, which is distinguished from fabric that has undergone finishing processes. In context, often designates a fresh piece of material, such as a patch, that has not yet been conditioned for regular use.
Semantic Range
unfulled (cloth), not processed by a fuller, new (in the sense of unused or unshrunken fabric)
Root / Etymology
From the privative prefix ἀ- (denoting 'not') and the root γναφ- (from γναφεύς, meaning 'fuller', a person who cleans and finishes cloth). Thus, ἄγναφος literally means 'not fulled.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Koine Greek, especially in the context of textile production, 'fulling' referred to the process of cleaning and thickening cloth by washing, beating, and pressing — an important step for preparing woolen fabrics for use. Ἄγναφος appears in the New Testament (Mark 2:21; Matthew 9:16) in the phrase 'cloth that has not been fulled' or 'new cloth,' referring to the impracticality of patching old garments with material that has not shrunk or set. The standard English translation 'new' does not reflect the technical aspect of unfulled cloth and may obscure the contextual meaning, which emphasizes the unfinished, unprocessed nature of the fabric. There is no broader metaphorical or figurative usage attested in extant sources; the term is technical and rare outside practical descriptions. Distinct from νεός (new in time) and καινός (new in quality or renewed), ἄγναφος specifies textile processing and should not be generalized to mean 'new' in all contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and the same as γναφεύς; properly, unfulled, i.e. (by implication) new (cloth):--new.
Root Family
ἄγναφος (agnaphos) — unfulled, not processed (cloth), unused fabric
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G46-01 |
ἀγνάφου | agnaphou | ADJ.A GEN N SG |
unshrunk | of unfulled cloth | of unfulled cloth | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G46-01 |
Matthew 9:16 | ἀγνάφου | agnaphou | ADJ.A GEN N SG |
unshrunk | of unfulled cloth | of unfulled cloth |
G46-01 |
Mark 2:21 | ἀγνάφου | agnaphou | ADJ.A GEN N SG |
unshrunk | of unfulled cloth | of unfulled cloth |