The etymology of Greek sigma theta epsilon nu omicron sigma

The present article investigates the different etymologies that have been suggested for Greek sigma theta epsilon nu omicron sigma. It starts by analysing the meaning and the instances in the oldest literary texts. It then confronts the suggested etymologies with the Mycenaean evidence and proper names in Thracian and Celtic. The article finds that the two most commonly accepted etymologies are problematic because they require the presence of labiovelars but that presence is not corroborated by the Mycenaean evidence. Proper names in Thracian and Celtic also seem to question the accepted etymologies, but these names are not entirely clear. As a result of the Mycenaean evidence, another etymology has to be suggested.

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