Iynx
/ˈɪŋks/noun
A bird of the wryneck family, especially the Eurasian wryneck; in ancient Greek magic, a spell or amulet used to attract love.
Did you know?In classical Greek ritual, the *iynx* was famously used in erotic magic, and the same word also named the wryneck bird whose twisting neck made it feel uncanny enough to become a symbol of enchantment.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*yeug-
“to join, yoke, fasten”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἴυγξ (íynx)
“the wryneck bird; later, a magical love-charm or spell”
Classical Latin
Latin
iynx
“a wryneck bird; an amatory charm in learned borrowing”
Middle English
English
iynx
“a wryneck bird, especially in natural history and learned usage”
Modern English
English
iynx
“a rare literary or scientific term for the wryneck bird or a magical charm in classical contexts”