ΑΥΞΗΣΙΣ
Auxesis as the fundamental concept of growth and development, both in the natural world and in abstract thought. From the biological enlargement of organisms to arithmetical progression and philosophical evolution, this word describes the movement towards the greater, the more, the fuller. Its lexarithmos (879) reflects the complexity and dynamism inherent in the process of increase.
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Auxesis, a feminine noun, primarily signifies "growth, enlargement, increase." In classical Greek, it is widely employed to describe the natural development of plants and animals, population growth, the expansion of a city or state, as well as an increase in quantity or size more generally. It is a dynamic concept that denotes a process of change and progress.
In scientific and philosophical thought, auxesis acquires more specialized meanings. In biology and medicine, it refers to the development of organisms from birth to maturity. Aristotle, for instance, examines auxesis as one of the forms of kinesis (change) in natural beings, distinguishing it from genesis (coming into being) and phthora (perishing). For the Stagirite philosopher, auxesis is the increase in the size of an already existing body, while maintaining the same form.
Beyond its biological dimension, auxesis is also used in abstract contexts, such as the growth of knowledge, power, wealth, or reputation. In mathematics, it can denote numerical increase. The word retains its fundamental meaning of quantitative or qualitative enlargement, making it central to understanding evolution and change across many domains of ancient thought.
Etymology
Cognate words deriving from the same root aux- include the verb auxano ("to increase, to grow"), the older auxo ("to increase, to develop"), the adjective auxetikos ("tending to increase, promoting growth"), the noun auxema ("growth, produce of growth"), and the compound auxipolis ("city-growing"). These words demonstrate the broad application of the root across different parts of speech, always retaining the central meaning of enlargement and progress.
Main Meanings
- Natural growth, enlargement of organisms — The primary meaning, referring to the development of plants, animals, and humans.
- Increase in quantity or number — The enlargement of population, wealth, resources, or any measurable quantity.
- Expansion, progress — The broadening of influence, extent, or power of a city, state, or institution.
- Biological development (Aristotle) — The quantitative change of an already existing body, preserving its essence, in contrast to genesis.
- Arithmetical increase, progression — The increase in mathematical sequences or the addition to a set.
- Qualitative improvement, enhancement — The increase of knowledge, wisdom, power, or other abstract qualities.
- Rhetorical figure, climax — The increase in intensity or importance of words in a speech for emphasis.
Word Family
aux- (root of the verb auxano, meaning "to grow, to increase")
The root aux- forms the basis of a significant word family in Ancient Greek, all revolving around the concept of development, enlargement, and increase. It appears in both simple verbs and compound nouns and adjectives, describing natural, quantitative, or qualitative progress. This root is of Ancient Greek origin and has maintained its meaning unchanged, underscoring the fundamental importance of growth in every aspect of life and thought. Each member of the family highlights a different nuance or application of this central idea.
Philosophical Journey
The concept of auxesis, as a fundamental aspect of life and change, engaged Greek thinkers from the Presocratics through the Hellenistic period.
In Ancient Texts
Auxesis, as a fundamental concept, is found in texts spanning philosophy, science, and rhetoric.
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΑΥΞΗΣΙΣ is 879, from the sum of its letter values:
879 decomposes into 800 (hundreds) + 70 (tens) + 9 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΑΥΞΗΣΙΣ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 879 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 6 | 8+7+9 = 24 → 2+4 = 6 — Hexad, the number of harmony and balance, associated with organic development. |
| Letter Count | 7 | 7 letters — Heptad, the number of perfection and completion, reflecting full development. |
| Cumulative | 9/70/800 | Units 9 · Tens 70 · Hundreds 800 |
| Odd/Even | Odd | Masculine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | A-Y-X-H-S-I-S | Arche Hyperbaseos Xerasias Ethos Sophias Ischyos Somatos (Interpretive: Principle of overcoming barrenness, of increasing morals, wisdom, strength, and body) |
| Grammatical Groups | 4V · 3S · 0M | 4 vowels (A, Y, H, I) and 3 semi-vowels (X, S, S). |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Mars ♂ / Cancer ♋ | 879 mod 7 = 4 · 879 mod 12 = 3 |
Isopsephic Words (879)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon with the same lexarithmos (879) but different roots, highlighting numerical coincidence.
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 71 words with lexarithmos 879. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.
Sources & Bibliography
- Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon. Oxford University Press, 9th edition with revised supplement, 1996.
- Aristotle — Physics. Translated with commentary.
- Plato — Phaedo. Translated with commentary.
- Theophrastus — Enquiry into Plants.
- Diels, H., Kranz, W. — The Fragments of the Presocratics. Weidmann, 1951.
- Plutarch — Moralia. Loeb Classical Library.
- Smyth, H. W. — Greek Grammar. Harvard University Press, 1956.