ADP: adposition
Definition
Adposition is a cover term to include both prepositions and postpositions, i.e., invariable words specifying the function of a nominal with respect to, prototypically, a verb (or adjective). in Ancient Greek most adpositions are prepositions. Adpositions can also, especially in Homeric poetry, function as adverbs: it is sometimes very hard to decide whether they are adverbs or adpostions.
Prepositions
A list of prepositions and an overview on their functions can be found in Smyth 1920: 365-388.
Examples
- ἀπὸ θαλάσσης “from the sea” (T. 1.7)
- δι(ά)᾽ ὤμου “through (the) shoulder” (Il. 4.481)
- περὶ πατρίδος “for (the) country” (T. 6.69)
Postpositions
In antiquity postpositions were considered to be prepositions which can also in some genre/author appear after their dependents: this is known as an example of anastrophe (Smyth 1920: 40-41; note that accent in dissyllabic prepositions is shifted back). Postpositions especially - but not exclusively - occur in poetry.
Examples
- τούτων πἐρι “about these things”
References
Smyth, Herbert Weir. 1920. A Greek Grammar for Colleges. New York: American Book Company (Perseus Digital Library; Internet Archive).
ADP in other languages: [bej] [bg] [bm] [cs] [cy] [da] [el] [en] [es] [et] [fi] [fro] [fr] [ga] [gn] [grc] [gub] [hu] [hy] [it] [ja] [ka] [kk] [kpv] [ky] [myv] [no] [pcm] [pt] [qpm] [ru] [sl] [sv] [tpn] [tr] [tt] [uk] [u] [urj] [yue] [zh]