τυφλώνει
Wordform Details
Translation: to blindto make blind
Part of Speech: verb
Inflection Type:
third-personsingularpresentIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: τυφλώνω
Translation: to blind; to make blind; to dazzle (verb)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek τυφλόω (tuphlóō), from τυφλός (tuphlós, 'blind'). The root is related to τῦφος (tûphos, 'smoke, mist, cloud'), suggesting the original meaning was related to being obscured or clouded. The English word 'typhus' shares this etymological root, as the disease was thought to cloud the mind.
Example Usage
Το έντονο φως τον τύφλωσε προσωρινά.
The intense light temporarily blinded him.
Η αγάπη τυφλώνει τους ανθρώπους.
Love blinds people.
Τυφλώθηκε από την εξουσία και την απληστία.
He was blinded by power and greed.
Η αγάπη τον τύφλωσε και δεν μπορούσε να δει τα ελαττώματά της.
Love blinded him and he couldn't see her flaws.
Το πάθος τυφλώνει τη λογική.
Passion blinds reason.
Τυφλώθηκε από την οργή του.
He was blinded by his anger.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'typhoon' which can obscure vision with rain and wind - 'τυφλώνω' blinds or obscures vision.
- The 'τυφλ-' root sounds a bit like 'tough luck' - when you're blind, you might have tough luck seeing.
Cultural Context
Often used metaphorically to describe being blinded by emotions, prejudice, or passion. The concept appears in various Greek proverbs and expressions about judgment and perception.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'τυφλώνω' is the verb meaning 'to blind', 'τυφλός' is the adjective meaning 'blind'.
Confused word:
Ο άνθρωπος είναι τυφλός.
The man is blind.
Notes: These words are etymologically related, with the verb derived from the adjective.
Mnemonic: The ending '-ώνω' indicates action (verb), while '-ός' indicates a state or quality (adjective).
Explanation: Though they sound somewhat similar, 'τυλίγω' means 'to wrap' or 'to roll up', completely different from 'τυφλώνω' (to blind).
Confused word:
Τύλιξε το δώρο με χαρτί.
She wrapped the gift with paper.
Notes: These words have completely different etymological origins and meanings despite some phonetic similarity.
Mnemonic: Think of 'τυλίγω' as 'to-lick-o' (wrapping something around like your tongue licking an ice cream cone), while 'τυφλώνω' has the 'φλ' sound that suggests a 'flash' that blinds.