οὔτε

oúte

G3777 correlative conjunction

SILEX Entry

Definition

A coordinating conjunction meaning 'neither' or 'nor,' used to connect two or more negative clauses or elements, indicating that none of the connected options or actions apply or occur. Often pairs with οὐδέ or similar negatives in polysyndetic expressions. Contextually, it expresses the exclusion of each connected element from the action, state, or assertion of the sentence.

Semantic Range

neither, nor; not... nor; neither... nor (in correlative structures); negative coordination of clauses or phrases

Root / Etymology

Compound of οὐ ('not', expressing negation) and τε (enclitic coordinating particle meaning 'and' or 'also'); thus, οὔτε literally means 'not and.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

οὔτε is used primarily to link two or more negative ideas or clauses, generally corresponding to the English 'neither... nor.' It occurs in both classical and Koine Greek, with continuity in function. In the Septuagint and New Testament, οὔτε can link subjects, verbs, or phrases, conveying that the negation pertains equally to all connected elements. Unlike οὐδέ, which is also a negative conjunction, οὔτε always appears in correlative pairs or series; it must connect at least two elements (never stands alone). The English rendering 'neither... nor' in formal writing, or simply 'nor' in some coordinate lists, captures its primary logic. The Strong's gloss includes extended forms like '(no, yet) not, nothing,' but these are imprecise; οὔτε maintains its function as a negative connector, not an independent negative particle or pronoun. It does not appear as a standalone negative; its only function is to connect two or more negated items.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from οὐ and τέ; not too, i.e. neither or nor; by analogy, not even:--neither, none, nor (yet), (no, yet) not, nothing.

Root Family

οὔτε (oute) — not, and, negative coordination, conjunction

Root οὐ-τε not, and, link, conjunction

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3777-01 οὔτε oute PART nor neither / nor nor 87

Occurrences in Scripture

87 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3777-01 Matthew 6:20 οὔτε oute PART neither neither / nor neither
G3777-01 Matthew 6:20 οὔτε oute-2 CONJ.C nor neither / nor nor
G3777-01 Matthew 12:32 οὔτε oute PART neither neither / nor neither
G3777-01 Matthew 12:32 οὔτε oute-2 CONJ.C nor neither / nor nor
G3777-01 Matthew 22:30 οὔτε oute PART neither neither / nor neither
G3777-01 Matthew 22:30 οὔτε oute-2 CONJ.C nor neither / nor nor
G3777-01 Mark 12:25 οὔτε oute PART neither neither / nor neither
G3777-01 Mark 12:25 οὔτε oute-2 CONJ.C nor neither / nor nor
G3777-01 Mark 14:68 οὔτε oute PART neither neither / nor neither
G3777-01 Mark 14:68 οὔτε oute-2 CONJ.C nor neither / nor nor