Chrematizein
/kʰrɛː.ma.tí.zɛːn/noun
An Ancient Greek infinitive meaning to conduct business, deal in money, or receive an official response or oracle.
Did you know?In Greek, χρηματίζειν could describe both commercial activity and receiving an authoritative divine response, especially an oracle—giving the word an unusually intimate link between wealth and revelation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵʰreh₁-
“A reconstructed root associated with growth, development, or becoming useful; its exact semantic pathway is debated.”
Classical Greek
Greek
χρῆμα (chrēma)
“A thing, matter, affair, possession, or—especially in the plural—money.”
Classical Greek
Greek
χρηματίζω (chrēmatizō)
“To conduct affairs, transact business, make money, or receive an official response.”
Classical Greek
Greek
χρηματίζειν (chrēmatizein)
“The infinitive: to conduct business, deal in money, or receive an oracle or official pronouncement.”
Hellenistic and Koine Greek
Greek
χρηματίζειν
“To engage in financial activity and, in religious or administrative contexts, to receive or deliver an authoritative declaration.”
Modern English
English
chrematizein
“A scholarly transliteration of the Ancient Greek infinitive, chiefly encountered in classical, biblical, or historical discussion.”
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