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[409c] the very most fitting name for it would be Σελαενονεοάεια, which has been compressed into Σελαναία.

Hermogenes
That is a regular opera bouffe name, Socrates. But what have you to say of the month (μήν) and the stars?

Socrates
The word “month” (μείς) would be properly pronounced μείης, from μειοῦσθαι, “to grow less,” and I think the stars (ἄστερα) get their name from ἀστραπή (lightning). But ἀστραπή, because it turns our eyes upwards (τὰ ὦπα ἀναστρέθει), would be called ἀναστρωπή, which is now pronounced more prettily ἀστραπή.

Hermogenes
And what of πῦρ (fire) and ὕδωρ (water)?


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