Mandra
/ˈmæn.drə/noun
A fold, pen, or enclosed place for animals, especially in Mediterranean or Balkan usage.
Did you know?In Greek, μάνδρα could mean a sheepfold or enclosure and later became associated with monastic compounds, helping explain the use of “mandra” for enclosed sacred spaces in parts of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*men-
“To remain, stay, or dwell; a proposed deep root associated with places of staying.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μάνδρα (mándra)
“An enclosure, animal fold, or fenced-in place.”
Classical Greek
Greek
μάνδρα
“A sheepfold, stable, or enclosed compound.”
Ancient Latin
Latin
mandra
“An enclosure or animal pen, borrowed from Greek.”
Medieval Greek
Greek
μάνδρα
“An enclosed compound; in some contexts, a monastic enclosure.”
Modern English
English
mandra
“A fold or enclosure for animals, chiefly used as a technical or regional loanword.”