Lekythoi
/lɛˈkɪθɔɪ/noun
Lekythoi are ancient Greek vessels, especially narrow-necked jars used mainly for storing and pouring oil.
Did you know?White-ground lekythoi were commonly placed in Athenian graves and often depicted mourners, tombs, or scenes involving the deceased.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Greek
Ancient Greek
λήκυθος (lḗkythos)
“A small vessel, especially a narrow-necked jar for oil.”
Classical Greek
Ancient Greek
λήκυθοι (lḗkythoi)
“Plural of λήκυθος: oil vessels or narrow-necked jars.”
Hellenistic and Roman periods
Greek/Latin
lecythus
“A Greek oil flask or vessel, adapted into Latin technical and literary usage.”
19th Century
Archaeological English
lekythos
“A term adopted by modern archaeology for the characteristic Greek oil jar.”
Modern English
English
lekythoi
“The standard scholarly plural of lekythos, referring to multiple ancient Greek oil vessels.”