Hemeros

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A term from ancient Greek referring to something that is tame or civilized as opposed to wild ; also used as a male given name in classical contexts ; may refer to figures in mythology or literature named for tameness or day
2. Used in reference to the quality or state of being domesticated or gentle in opposition to savage ; an ancient Greek name, often for men ; can relate to mythological or literary characters whose traits relate to civility or day
3. Denoting the characteristic of being mild, subdued, or non-wild in a classical Greek context ; an old personal name given to males ; associated at times with mythic or historical personages linked to sociability or daylight

Etymology: In ancient Greek, "hēmeros" described animals that had been tamed or domesticated, and also people who were gentle, mild, or civilized, as opposed to savage. Its opposite was "agrios," meaning wild, which came from "agros," field. Hēmeros thus contrasted with the untamed wilderness outside the cultivated land. The word looks almost identical to "hēmera," day, but the two are separate words with different meanings, and the resemblance is a coincidence of spelling. The deeper origin of "hēmeros" is uncertain, and scholars have proposed several possible roots without settling on one.