ἀφρός
aphrós
G876 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Foam or froth, particularly the white bubbles formed on the surface of liquid due to agitation. In medical or descriptive contexts, it may refer specifically to saliva or slaver produced by the mouth during intense emotion, illness, or convulsions. The term can also denote the visible bubbling produced by the sea, fermenting liquids, or in metaphorical uses, things that are effervescent or insubstantial.
Semantic Range
foam (on water, sea), froth (on liquids), saliva or slaver produced by convulsions or agitation, effervescence, metaphorically: something insubstantial or ephemeral
Root / Etymology
The word ἀφρός is a primary Greek noun of uncertain further origin. It does not have a securely derived root in attested Indo-European forms; possible connections to similar-sounding roots in Indo-European languages are debated.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek (e.g., Homer and later authors), ἀφρός most commonly denotes the foam produced by the sea or by waves, sometimes with broader metaphorical extensions. In medical writers (e.g., Hippocrates), it can refer to the foam at the mouth seen in epileptic or frenzied states. In the New Testament (Mark 9:18, Luke 9:39), its use describes the physical symptoms of a boy's convulsions: 'foaming at the mouth.' English translations sometimes use 'foaming' or 'slaver,' but 'froth' or 'foam' is the more precise rendering. Septuagint occurrences reflect similar usage, though the word is relatively rare. Later Greek literature continues both the literal (sea-foam, spittle) and figurative (something ephemeral or unstable) uses. Notably, it is distinct from similar terms for spittle or excretion; ἀφρός emphasizes the foamy, agitated character. Although English translations sometimes introduce the term 'slaver,' ἀφρός does not intrinsically refer to pathological or animalistic drooling except as context demands.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
apparently a primary word; froth, i.e. slaver:--foaming.
Root Family
ἀφρός (aphros) — foam, froth
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G876-01 |
ἀφροῦ | aphrou | N GEN M SG |
foam | of foam | foam | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G876-01 |
Luke 9:39 | ἀφροῦ | aphrou | N GEN M SG |
foam | of foam | foam |