μήν,
Doric dialect [
Refs 5th c.BC+],
Aeolic dialect [
Refs 7th c.BC+], and old
Epic dialect μάν (in Hom.always followed by a vowel except [
Refs 8th c.BC+] is followed by a consonant except in [
Refs 8th c.BC+]; original μάν has probably been changed to μέν except when the metre prevented), a Particle used to strengthen asseverations,
verily, truly; a synonym of μέν but stronger, and like it always following the word which begins the clause, ὧδε γὰρ ἐξερέω, καὶ μ. τετελεσμένον ἔσται and so
verily, [
Refs 8th c.BC+]; ἴστε μὰν. ye know
doubtless, [
Refs 5th c.BC+] on
then, [
Refs 8th c.BC+]
II) after other Particles,
II.1) ἦ μήν,
now verily, full surely, ἦ μὴν καὶ πόνος ἐστίν [
Refs 8th c.BC+]: strengthened, ἦ δὴ μάν [
Refs 8th c.BC+]: frequently later in strong protestations or oaths, with
infinitive, ὄμνυσι δ᾽ ἦ μὴν λαπάξειν [
Refs 5th c.BC+]: in Prose also to begin an independent clause, ὀμνύω, ἦ μ. ἐγὼ ἐθυόμην [
Refs 5th c.BC+]
II.2) καὶ μήν, sometimes simply to add an asseveration, see entry [near the start],[
Refs 5th c.BC+]: frequently to introduce something new or deserving special attention, καὶ μὴν Τάνταλον εἰσεῖδον [
Refs 8th c.BC+]; especially in dramatic Poets to mark the entrance of a person on the stage,
here comes, [
Refs 5th c.BC+], etc; of new facts,
and besides, nay more, καὶ μήν. γε [
Refs 5th c.BC+]; in Orators to introduce new arguments, καὶ μήν. γε [
Refs 5th c.BC+]; to introduce a counter-argument, [
Refs 5th c.BC+]
well, I allow it, [
Refs 5th c.BC+]; μὴ νῦν διάτριβ᾽, ἀλλ᾽ ἄνυε πράττων. Answ. καὶ μ. βαδίζω [
Refs 5th c.BC+]
II.3) ἀλλὰ μήν, yet
truly, [
Refs 5th c.BC+]; to allege something not disputed, [
Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀλλ᾽ οὐδ᾽ ἐγὼ μ. [
Refs 5th c.BC+]
II.4) ναὶ μήν,
above all, [
Refs 5th c.BC+]
II.5) οὐ μήν,
of a truth not, [
Refs 8th c.BC+]; μὴ μάν (
Attic dialect μὴ μήν)
oh do not, [
Refs], etc; ἀλλ᾽ οὐ μάν [
Refs 5th c.BC+]
II.6) ὡς μήν, = {ἦ μήν}, ὀμμνύω Δία. ὡς μ. κρινεῖν τὰ ἀντιλεγόμενα [
Refs]
III) after interrogatives, τί μ;
well, what of it? [
Refs 5th c.BC+]; τί μ. οὔ
well, why not? [
Refs 5th c.BC+]; τῶς μ;
well, but how? [
Refs 5th c.BC+]; to express surprise, [
Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀλλὰ πότε μή; [
Refs 5th c.BC+]
IV) with adversative force, especially after a
negative, so that it is equivalent to μέντοι, νῦν ἐμὲ μὲν στυγέει, ἔσται μὰν ὅτ᾽ ἄν. [
Refs 8th c.BC+]; ἀνάγκη μὲν καὶ ταῦτ᾽ ἐπίστασθαι, οὐδὲν μ. κωλύει κτλ. [
Refs 5th c.BC+]; expressed more strongly by γε μ, [
Refs 5th c.BC+]; οὐδὲ μ.[
Refs]; οὐ μ. οὐδέ
nor yet indeed, [
Refs 8th c.BC+]