The Limitations of the Composition of Verbs 

 with Prepositions in Thucydides- 



DAVID H. HOLMES. 



In Greek the subject of composition in general has received but 

 httle attention. So far as I know, the particular chapter which I have 

 chosen has not been treated at all. But no attempt has been made 

 in this paper to discuss such problems as the change of meaning 

 caused by composition, or the case-constructions of compounds, or 

 the influence of the preposition on the voice of the verb. As these 

 subjects have been uniformly passed over by grammarians, we can- 

 not reproach ourselves for treating them with the same respect. 



The object of the present investigation is rather to see from an 

 examination of the material offered by Thucydides what the indica- 

 tions are from this source regarding the principles underlying the 

 composition of verbs with prepositions, and the limitations affecting 

 the operation of these principles. 



If any justification is needed for the undertaking of such a task, 

 it is found in the interest and instruction which attach to the an- 

 swers to such questions as: the range of prepositions of the differ- 

 ent verbs; the relative affinity of verbs for prepositions; the lines 

 of favoritism between verbs and prepositions; causes and results of 

 loss of color in the preposition. The same inquiries will be ex- 

 tended to diprothetics and triprothetics. 



Such is the modest aim of this paper. But whatever the results 

 may be, they can not of course be considered binding, except so 

 far as the language of Thucydides is concerned, until, at least, oth- 

 er authors are investigated in the same manner. 



With this aim in view, then, I shall present the following materi- 

 al: First, A consideration of the individual prepositions; Second, 

 Statistical tables for monoprothetics, diphrothetics and triprothetics; 

 Third, An examination of the statistics. 



I. A Consideration of tlie Individual Prepositions. 



The test of a proper preposition is its ability to combine with 

 verbs. It is only necessary to strike d/A<^t out of the list of proper 



(119) KAN. UNIV. QUAE., VOL,. V, NO. 3. OCTOBER, 1896. 



