Μελέαγρο
Wordform Details
Translation: Meleager
Part of Speech: noun
Inflection Type:
masculinesingularaccusativeIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: Μελέαγρος
Translation: Meleager; Meleagros (noun)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek Μελέαγρος (Meléagros). In Greek mythology, Meleager was a hero who participated in the Calydonian Boar hunt. His life was tied to a burning log by the Fates; when the log was completely consumed, he would die. His mother preserved the log until, in anger, she threw it into the fire, causing his death. The name may derive from μέλω (mélo, 'to care for') and ἄγρα (ágra, 'hunting'), reflecting his role as a hunter in mythology.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'mele' (like melody) + 'agros' (similar to 'agriculture') – a hunter who cared for the fields and hunting grounds.
- Associate with 'melete' (μελέτη, study) to remember this scholarly mythological figure.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Μελέαγρος is primarily known as a figure from Greek mythology. The name appears in classical literature and art, and occasionally as a given name in modern Greece. It represents the classical heritage that remains important in Greek culture. The name is also associated with the 'Meleager Anthology', an important collection of epigrams compiled by the poet Meleager of Gadara in the 1st century BCE.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: Both are names from Greek mythology, but Μελέαγρος (Meleager) was a hero of the Calydonian Boar hunt, while Μενέλαος (Menelaus) was the king of Sparta and husband of Helen of Troy.
Confused word:
Ο Μενέλαος ήταν ο σύζυγος της Ωραίας Ελένης.
Menelaus was the husband of Helen of Troy.
Notes: Μελέαγρος is associated with hunting and a tragic death, while Μενέλαος is associated with the Trojan War.
Mnemonic: Μελέαγρος contains 'αγρ' which relates to hunting (his main story), while Μενέλαος contains 'λα' which can remind you of 'λαός' (people) – he was a king of people.