ΕΓΚΡΙΤΟΣ
Enkritos (ἔγκριτος) as the distinguished, selected, or approved individual. The word signifies worth derived from a process of judgment and selection, rendering the person or thing trustworthy and respected. Its lexarithmos (708) is mathematically linked to the perfection of judgment and discernment.
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According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, ἔγκριτος means "chosen, distinguished, approved." It is an adjective characterizing persons or things that have undergone a process of judgment, evaluation, or selection and have been found worthy, superior, or suitable for a specific role or position. The concept of "judgment" (κρίσις) is central, as "approval" is not arbitrary but based on specific criteria.
The word is frequently used to describe citizens selected for public office, soldiers deemed competent, or even philosophical ideas accepted by a school of thought. It implies a distinction that is not merely social but often associated with ability, wisdom, or virtue. In the Athenian democracy, for instance, the "ἔγκριτοι" citizens were those fully entitled to participate in political affairs.
The meaning of the word also extends to objects or texts considered authentic, reliable, or canonical. An "ἔγκριτον" text is one that has been approved or recognized as valid. Thus, the word bridges the concept of personal merit with institutional recognition and intellectual authority.
Etymology
Cognate words sharing the root κριν- include the noun κρίσις ("judgment, decision, discernment"), κριτήριον ("standard of judgment, criterion"), κριτής ("judge"), as well as compound verbs like διακρίνω ("to separate, distinguish, discern") and ἀπο-κρίνω ("to decide, answer"). All these words retain the core meaning of separation, evaluation, and decision-making.
Main Meanings
- Chosen, Selected — One who has been chosen or singled out from a group due to their merit or ability.
- Approved, Accepted — One who has received official sanction or recognition from an authority or body.
- Trustworthy, Reliable — A person or thing considered valid and dependable due to proven quality.
- Discerning, Judicious — One who possesses the ability to judge correctly and distinguish right from wrong.
- Canonical, Authentic (for texts) — A text or doctrine recognized as valid and conforming to established rules.
- Elite, Prominent — Referring to members of a community holding a high position or having particular influence.
Word Family
krin- (root of the verb κρίνω, meaning "to separate, judge, decide")
The root krin- constitutes one of the fundamental pillars of the Ancient Greek lexicon, expressing the primary action of separation and distinction. From this initial meaning, it evolved to encompass the concepts of evaluation, judgment, selection, and decision. The ability to "separate" something leads to the ability to "judge" it and ultimately to "approve" or "reject" it. The family of words derived from this root covers a wide range of concepts, from legal and political judgment to intellectual discernment and moral evaluation, highlighting the central importance of sound judgment in Greek thought.
Philosophical Journey
The word ἔγκριτος, though not among the most frequent, maintains a consistent presence in ancient Greek literature, signifying the value of judgment and selection in various contexts.
In Ancient Texts
The concept of approval and distinction is captured in significant passages of ancient literature.
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΕΓΚΡΙΤΟΣ is 708, from the sum of its letter values:
708 decomposes into 700 (hundreds) + 8 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΕΓΚΡΙΤΟΣ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 708 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 6 | 7+0+8 = 15 → 1+5 = 6 — The Hexad, the number of balance, order, and harmony, resulting from sound judgment. |
| Letter Count | 8 | 8 letters — The Octad, the number of completeness, regeneration, and perfection, associated with thorough evaluation. |
| Cumulative | 8/0/700 | Units 8 · Tens 0 · Hundreds 700 |
| Odd/Even | Even | Feminine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | E-G-K-R-I-T-O-S | Eminent Guidance, Keen Reason, Intelligent Thought, Orderly System. |
| Grammatical Groups | 3V · 5C | 3 vowels (E, I, O) and 5 consonants (G, K, R, T, S), suggesting a balance between the fluidity of expression and the stability of structure. |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Mercury ☿ / Aries ♈ | 708 mod 7 = 1 · 708 mod 12 = 0 |
Isopsephic Words (708)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon with the same lexarithmos (708) as ἔγκριτος, but from different roots, offer an interesting glimpse into the coincidences of the Greek language.
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 56 words with lexarithmos 708. 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 ed., 1940.
- Plato — Laws.
- Thucydides — History of the Peloponnesian War.
- Aristotle — Politics.
- Bauer, W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. University of Chicago Press, 3rd ed., 2000.
- Chantraine, P. — Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue grecque: histoire des mots. Klincksieck, 1968-1980.
- Frisk, H. — Griechisches etymologisches Wörterbuch. Carl Winter Universitätsverlag, 1960-1972.