ΜΕΤΟΧΗ (metochi) — Lexarithmos 1023 · Etymology, Meanings

Definition

According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, «μετοχή» (ἡ) primarily signifies "a sharing, partaking, participation, communion." It derives from the verb «μετέχω», which is a compound of the preposition «μετά» (with, among) and the verb «ἔχω» (to have, hold). Its core meaning revolves around the idea of co-existence or interaction with an object, quality, or state.

In classical philosophy, particularly in Plato, metoche assumes a central role as a technical term to describe the relationship between sensible particulars and the eternal Forms or Ideas. Individual objects "participate" in the Form of the Good, the Beautiful, or the Just, thereby acquiring their respective qualities. This concept of metoche is fundamental to understanding Platonic metaphysics.

Beyond philosophy, metoche is employed in other domains. In grammar, Dionysius Thrax defines it as «λέξις μετέχουσα ῥήματος καὶ ὀνόματος» (a word participating in both verb and noun), hence the term "participle" for this part of speech. In everyday usage, it can refer to a share, a contribution, or a partnership, whether on a material or abstract level.

Etymology

metoche ← metechō ← meta + echō (Ancient Greek root belonging to the oldest stratum of the language)

The word «μετοχή» is a compound, originating from the preposition «μετά» and the verb «ἔχω». The preposition «μετά» here denotes companionship, common use, or participation, while «ἔχω» means "to hold, possess, have." This compound forms the concept of "having along with," "sharing." The root of «ἔχω» (σχ-) is Ancient Greek and belongs to the oldest stratum of the language, with no further derivation to non-Greek sources being possible.

From the same root «ἔχω» and its variations (σχ-) derive numerous words in Ancient Greek, all revolving around the concept of "holding," "possessing," "having." From this fundamental meaning, various nuances develop, such as state (ἕξις), form (σχῆμα), restraint (συνοχή), or participation (μετοχή). The addition of prefixes like «μετά-», «σύν-», «ἀνά-», «ἐπί-» further enriches the semantic field, creating compounds that express different aspects of possession or relation.

Main Meanings

Participation, sharing, portion — The fundamental concept of the act of having a share in or participating in something. Widely used in classical Greek.
Philosophical "Methexis" (Plato) — The technical term in Platonic philosophy describing the relationship of sensible particulars to the eternal Forms, where the former "participate" in the latter.
Grammatical Participle — The term for the part of speech that combines characteristics of both a verb and an adjective, as defined by ancient grammarians.
Communion, fellowship — The concept of spiritual or social connection and shared experience, often in a religious context (e.g., in the New Testament, though often with cognate words).
Contribution, subscription — The act of offering a part or making a contribution to a common endeavor or purpose.
Share (financial) — A title of ownership representing a portion of a company, a modern usage that retains the original meaning of "share" or "portion."

Word Family

sch- / ech- (root of the verb echō, meaning "to hold, possess")

The root sch- / ech- forms the basis of an extensive family of words in Ancient Greek, all revolving around the concept of "holding," "possessing," "having." From this fundamental meaning, various nuances develop, such as state (hexis), form (schema), restraint (synoche), or participation (metoche). The addition of prefixes further enriches the semantic field, creating compounds that express different aspects of possession or relation. This root is Ancient Greek and belongs to the oldest stratum of the language.

μετέχω verb · lex. 1750

The verb from which «μετοχή» is derived. It means "to have a share in, to participate, to share." It forms the basis for understanding the concept of participation on both philosophical and grammatical levels.

ἕξις ἡ · noun · lex. 278

Signifies "possession, property," but also "habit, custom, state." In Aristotle, «ἕξις» is a stable state or disposition, resulting from repeated actions, such as virtue. It connects to the idea of "having" as a permanent condition.

σχῆμα τό · noun · lex. 849

Means "form, figure, appearance," but also "posture, character." It derives from the aorist stem sch- of «ἔχω» and denotes the way something is "held" or "presented."

σχολή ἡ · noun · lex. 908

Originally meant "rest, leisure, free time," i.e., the "possession" of free time. Later acquired the meaning of "a place where one spends leisure time for learning," i.e., "school."

συνοχή ἡ · noun · lex. 1328

Signifies "holding together, cohesion, tight union." It derives from «σύν» + «ἔχω» and describes the act of things being "held" together, maintaining their unity.

ἀνοχή ἡ · noun · lex. 729

Signifies "patience, tolerance, restraint." It derives from «ἀνά» + «ἔχω» (in the sense of "holding up" or "holding back") and denotes the ability to endure or hold oneself back.

ἐποχή ἡ · noun · lex. 763

Signifies "a stop, cessation," and later "a period of time, an epoch." It derives from «ἐπί» + «ἔχω» (in the sense of "holding upon" or "stopping") and denotes a point of arrest or a defined temporal interval.

μετασχηματίζω verb · lex. 2392

Means "to transform, to change form." It derives from «μετά» + «σχῆμα» + «-ίζω». While «μετοχή» concerns participation, «μετασχηματίζω» shows the change of "form" (schema), which also originates from the root of «ἔχω».

Philosophical Journey

«Metoche» has a rich history, evolving from a general concept of participation into a specialized philosophical and grammatical term.

5th-4th C. BCE

Classical Greek Philosophy

Plato establishes «μετοχή» as a central metaphysical term to explain the relationship between sensible particulars and the Forms.

3rd-2nd C. BCE

Hellenistic Grammar

Dionysius Thrax, in his Art of Grammar, defines «μετοχή» as a part of speech that participates in the properties of both a verb and a noun.

1st C. CE

New Testament and Early Christianity

Although the word «μετοχή» itself is rare, cognate concepts like «κοινωνία» (koinonia) and «μέτοχος» (metochos) are used to describe the participation of believers in the divine nature or the sufferings of Christ.

4th-5th C. CE

Patristic Theology

Church Fathers, such as Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, employ «μετοχή» to describe human participation in divine energies and attributes.

Byzantine Period

Continuation and Evolution

The word retains its significance in both philosophical and theological thought, as well as in the educational tradition of grammar.

Modern Era

Modern Greek

«Μετοχή» remains a fundamental grammatical term and acquires new uses, such as a "share" in the stock market, preserving its original meaning of "portion."

In Ancient Texts

Three characteristic passages highlight the diversity of «μετοχή»'s usage in ancient literature.

«τὸ γὰρ μὴ ὂν οὐδὲ μετέχειν οὐσίας ἔχει.»

For that which is not does not even have the capacity to participate in being.

Plato, Sophist 255e

«Μετοχή ἐστι λέξις μετέχουσα ῥήματος καὶ ὀνόματος.»

A participle is a word participating in (the properties of) a verb and a noun.

Dionysius Thrax, Art of Grammar 13.1

«Πᾶσα γὰρ μετοχὴ τῆς θείας ἀγαθότητος ἀγαθὴ καὶ ἀγαθοποιός ἐστιν.»

For every participation in divine goodness is good and productive of good.

Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, On the Divine Names 2.5

Lexarithmic Analysis

The lexarithmos of the word ΜΕΤΟΧΗ is 1023, from the sum of its letter values:

Μ = 40

Mu

Ε = 5

Epsilon

Τ = 300

Tau

Ο = 70

Omicron

Χ = 600

Chi

Η = 8

Eta

= 1023

Total

40 + 5 + 300 + 70 + 600 + 8 = 1023

1023 decomposes into 1000 (hundreds) + 20 (tens) + 3 (units).

The 18 Methods

Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΜΕΤΟΧΗ:

Method	Result	Meaning
Isopsephy	1023	Base lexarithmos
Decade Numerology	6	1+0+2+3 = 6. The Hexad, a number symbolizing harmony, balance, and creation, as the world was created in six days. It suggests the completeness and fullness of participation.
Letter Count	6	6 letters. The Hexad, the number of creation and perfection, reflects the integrated nature of participation.
Cumulative	3/20/1000	Units 3 · Tens 20 · Hundreds 1000
Odd/Even	Odd	Masculine force
Left/Right Hand	Right	Divine (≥100)
Quotient	—	Comparative method
Notarikon	M-E-T-O-X-E	Metron En Tō Holō Charas Hēkista (Measure in the Whole of Joy Least) — an interpretive acrostic suggesting the balance and completeness that participation brings.
Grammatical Groups	3V · 1S · 2M	3 Vowels (E, O, E), 1 Semivowel (M), 2 Mutes (T, Ch). The balanced distribution suggests the complex nature of the word and its ability to connect different concepts.
Palindromes	No
Onomancy	—	Comparative
Sphere of Democritus	—	Divination with lunar day
Zodiacal Isopsephy	Mercury ☿ / Cancer ♋	1023 mod 7 = 1 · 1023 mod 12 = 3

Isopsephic Words (1023)

Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon with the same lexarithmos (1023) but different roots, highlighting numerical coincidence and the diversity of the Greek language.

στέρησις

«Στέρησις» (deprivation, lack) stands in interesting contrast to «μετοχή» (participation), as one denotes absence and the other presence or a share.

ἀσυνταξία

«Ἀσυνταξία» (disorder, grammatical incorrectness) is particularly interesting, given that «μετοχή» is a central grammatical term. Their numerical connection might suggest order and disorder in discourse.

τεκνοποίησις

«Τεκνοποίησις» (child-bearing, procreation) is a very specific and fundamental act of creation, which, like participation, involves the transmission or creation of a new "share" of life.

συμβόλαιος

«Συμβόλαιος» (contractual, relating to an agreement) denotes a shared commitment or compact, a form of participation in a common act or relationship, similar to the sense of «μετοχή» as partnership.

ἐλπωρή

«Ἐλπωρή» (hope, expectation) is an abstract concept connected to the future and anticipation. Its numerical link to «μετοχή» might suggest that participation in something is often accompanied by hope.

The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 67 words with lexarithmos 1023. 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, with a revised supplement. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1996.
Plato — Sophist. Oxford Classical Texts.
Dionysius Thrax — Ars Grammatica. Edited by G. Uhlig, Teubner, Leipzig, 1883.
Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite — On the Divine Names. Patrologia Graeca Vol. 3, Migne, Paris, 1857.
Bauer, W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG). University of Chicago Press, 2000.
Aristotle — Nicomachean Ethics. Oxford Classical Texts.