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δάκρυ

dákry

G1144 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A single drop of liquid produced by the eye, typically in response to emotion (such as sorrow, pain, or joy) or physical stimulus (such as irritation); by extension, a tear. The term refers concretely to the physical tear but can also carry an emotional or symbolic sense, indicating weeping, lamentation, or deep feeling as expressed through tears.

Semantic Range

tear (as a drop of fluid from the eye), weeping (by metonymy), token or expression of grief or emotion

Root / Etymology

etymology uncertain; the word δάκρυ appears as a literary variant or poetic form alongside more common terms such as δάκρυον, suggesting it may be an older or dialectal form surviving in certain poetic or elevated styles of Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, δάκρυ is primarily a poetic or literary variant, with the more standard prose form being δάκρυον. It is attested in early literature such as Homer and remains in limited literary use into later periods. In Koine Greek (including the Septuagint and New Testament), δάκρυ is rare, with δάκρυον becoming the dominant form. Where it does appear, it carries a strong literary or emotive nuance, often emphasizing the act of weeping or lamentation. English translations usually render δάκρυ as 'tear,' but this may obscure the literary or poetic register of the word. While the form is closely related to, and interchangeable in meaning with, δάκρυον, it tends to appear in higher or stylized Greek contexts. There is no significant semantic distinction between δάκρυ and δάκρυον; the difference is stylistic. The word does not itself convey specific religious or ritual meaning; any symbolic use (e.g., tears of repentance or mourning) depends on context rather than the choice of this term.

Translation Consistency

primary "tear" 10 occurrences

δάκρυ refers primarily to the physical drop from the eye and by extension to weeping or an expression of grief; the natural, common English noun is “tear.” Although occurrences often appear as “tears,” the singular base “tear” provides a consistent base form covering both literal and metonymic uses.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; a tear:--tear.

Root Family

δακρυ- (dákry) — tear, weep

Root δακρυ- tear, weep

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1144-01 δακρύων dakruon N GEN N PL tears of tears tears 8
G1144-02 δάκρυσιν dakrusin N DAT N PL tears with tears tears 2

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1144-02 Luke 7:38 δάκρυσιν dakrusin N DAT N PL tears with tears tears
G1144-02 Luke 7:44 δάκρυσιν dakrusin N DAT N PL tears with tears tears
G1144-01 Acts 20:19 δακρύων dakruon N GEN N PL tears of tears tears
G1144-01 Acts 20:31 δακρύων dakruon N GEN N PL tears of tears tears
G1144-01 2 Corinthians 2:4 δακρύων dakruon N GEN N PL tears of tears of tears
G1144-01 2 Timothy 1:4 δακρύων dakruon N GEN N PL tears of tears tears
G1144-01 Hebrews 5:7 δακρύων dakruon N GEN N PL tears of tears tears
G1144-01 Hebrews 12:17 δακρύων dakruon N GEN N PL tears of tears tears
G1144-01 Revelation 7:17 δάκρυον dakruon N ACC N SG tear of tears of tears
G1144-01 Revelation 21:4 δάκρυον dakruon N ACC N SG tear of tears of tears
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