λύω

λύω, poet. imper. λῦθι Pi. Fr. 85: fut. λύσω [ῡ] Il. 1.29, etc.: aor. ἔλῡσα 18.244, etc.: pf. λέλῠκα Th. 7.18, Ar. V. 992 (ἀπο-), etc.:— Pass., pf. λέλῠμαι Il. 8.103, etc.: plpf. ἐλελύμην [ῠ] Od. 22.186, etc.: aor. ἐλύθην, Ep. λύθην [ῠ] 8.360, E. Hel. 860, Th. 2.103, etc.: fut. λῠθήσομαι Pl. Ti. 41b, Isoc. 12.116, etc., also λελύσομαι [ῡ] D. 14.2, X. Cyr. 6.2.37 (ἀπο-): Ep. aor. Pass. λύμην [ῠ] Il. 21.80; λύτο [ῠ] ib. 114, but λῦτο 24.1 (at beginning of line, v.l. λύτο); λύντο 7.16: also 3sg. opt. pf. λελῦτο Od. 18.238:—Med., fut. λύσομαι Il. 1.13, etc.: aor. ἐλυσάμην 14.214: pf. Pass. λέλῠμαι in med. sense, D. 36.45, Arist. Rh. 1400a22 (cf. δια-, κατα-λύω): fut. λύσομαι in pass. sense, (δια-) Th. 2.12, (ἐπι-) Lys. 25.33 codd. (καταλύσεσθαι edd.), (κατα-) X. Cyr. 1.6.9.—Homer uses all tenses exc. pf. Act., pres. and fut. Pass. [In pres. and impf. ῡ always in Att., ῠ mostly in Ep., though Hom. has ῡ twice, ἔλῡεν Il. 23.513, λῡει Od. 7.74; also in compds., ἀλλῡεσκεν 2.105, ἀλλῡουσαν ib. 109: in fut. and aor. 1 ῡ always: in other tenses ῠ always, exc. in the forms λελῦτο, λῦτο (v. supr.).] (Cf. Lat. luo (pay), re-luo, solvo (for se-luo), solūtus, etc.):—

• loosen:
• • I of things, unbind, unfasten, esp. clothes and armour, λῦσε δέ οἱ ζωστῆρα, θώρηκα, Il. 4.215, 16.804; λ. παρθενίην ζώνην loose the maiden-girdle, of the husband after marriage, Od. 11.245; of the wife, λύοι χαλινὸν ὑφʼ ἥρωϊ παρθενίας Pi. I. 8(7).48; ἔνθα παρθένειʼ ἔλυσʼ ἐγὼ κορεύματα E. Alc. 177; so ἔλυσας . . ἅγνευμα σόν Id. Tr. 501; freq. of the tackling of ships, λ. πρυμνήσια, ἱστία, λαῖφος, etc., Od. 2.418, 15.496, 552, h.Ap. 406, etc. (never in Il.); λ. πρύμνας, νεῶν πόδα, E. Hec. 539, 1020, etc.: abs., λύειν, of ships, set sail, λῦε, κυβερνήτα APl. 16.6*.9 (Panteleus); ἀσκὸν λ. untie a skin (used as a bag), Od. 10.47: freq. in Trag., λ. στολάς, πέπλον, S. OC 1597, Tr. 924; λ. ἡνίαν slacken the rein, Id. El. 743; κλῄθρων λυθέντων when the gates have been opened, A. Th. 396; λ. γράμματα, δέλτον, open a letter, E. IA 38 (anap.), 307; λ. πέδας, δεσμά, A. Eu. 645 (Pass.), E. HF 1123; ἀρβύλας A. Ag. 945; ἀρτάνας . . δέρης ἔλυσαν loosed it from my neck, ib. 876, cf. E. Hipp. 781:—Med., ἀπὸ στήθεσφιν ἐλύσατο κεστὸν ἱμάντα undid her belt, Il. 14.214; but λύοντο τεύχεα they undid the armour for themselves, i.e. stripped it off (others), 17.318; later λυσαμένα πλοκαμῖδας unbinding her hair, Bion 1.20, etc.
  • • • b in various phrases, στόμα λ. open the mouth, E. Hipp. 1060, Isoc. 12.96; γλώσσας λ. εἰς αἰσχροὺς μύθους Critias 6.9 D.; λ. βλεφάρων ἕδραν wake up, E. Rh. 8 (anap.); λ. ὀφρύν unfold the brow, Id. Hipp. 290; λ. ἄχος ἀπʼ ὀμμάτων S. Aj. 706 (lyr.), etc.
    • 2 of living beings,
    • • a of horses, etc., unyoke, unharness, opp. ζεύγνυμι, Od. 4.35; ἐξ ὀχέων, ὑπὲξ ὀχέων, Il. 5.369, 8.504; ὑφʼ ἅρμασιν 18.244; ὑπὸ ζυγοῦ Od. 4.39: ὑπὸ ζυγόφιν Il. 24.576; ὑπʼ ἀπήνης Od. 7.6 (also in Med., μὴ . . ὑπʼ ὄχεσφι λυώμεθα μώνυχας ἵππους unyoke our horses, Il. 23.7; βόε λῦσαι Hes. Op. 608); λύε μώνυχας ἵππους loosed them, Il. 10.498; λ. κύνα let him loose, X. Cyn. 6.13, etc.
      • b of men, release, deliver, esp. from bonds or prison, and so, generally, from difficulty or danger, Il. 15.22, Od. 8.345, 12.53, D. 24.206, etc.; ὁ λύσων he that shall deliver, A. Pr. 771, 785: c. gen. rei, τὸν . . θεοὶ κακότητος ἔλυσαν Od. 5.397, cf. Pi. P. 3.50, etc.; λ. τινὰ δεσμῶν A. Pr. 1006; ὄκνου S. Tr. 181; τὼ . . ἐκ δεσμοῖο λύθεν Od. 8.360, cf. Pi. O. 4.23, A. Pr. 873, E. Hipp. 1244, Pl. R. 360c; also λ. δόμους ἁβρότατος rob the house of . ., Pi. P. 11.34; λ. τινὰ τῆς ἀρχῆς depose him from . ., D.S. 13.92:—Med., prop. get one loosed or set free, λύσασθαί τινα δυσφροσυνάων Hes. Th. 528; ὅσπερ Ἰὼ πημονᾶς ἐλύσατο A. Supp. 1065 (lyr.):—Pass., λυθῆναι τὰς πέδας D.S. 17.116; λέλυται γὰρ λαὸς ἐλεύθερα βάζειν, ὡς ἐλύθη ζυγὸν ἀλκᾶς has been let loose to speak, since the yoke was loosed, A. Pers. 592 (lyr.).
      • c of prisoners, release on receipt of ransom, admit to ransom, release, Il. 1.29, 24.137, 555, etc.; λ. τινά τινι 1.20, 24.561, Od. 10.298; Σαρπηδόνος ἔντεα καλὰ λύσειαν would give them up, Il. 17.163; in full, λ. τινὰ ἀποίνων 11.106; χρημάτων μεγάλων Hdt. 2.135 (Pass.); ἀνὴρ ἀντʼ ἀνδρὸς λυθείς Th. 5.3:—Med., release by payment of ransom, get a person released, redeem, Il. 1.13, 24.118, al., Od. 10.284, 385, Pl. Mx. 243c, D. 19.229; λύσασθαί τινας ἐκ πολεμίων Lys. 12.20; ἵππον X. An. 7.8.6; ὅσους αὐτὸς ἐλυσάμην τῶν αἰχμαλώτων D. 19.169; λ. τινὶ τὸ χωρίον Id. 50.28; ἑαυτοὺς λ. pay their own ransom, Id. 19.169; buy from a pimp, Ar. V. 1353.
      • d λελύσθαι τῶν νόμων, = Lat. legibus solvi, D.C. 53.18.
    • 3 give up, [θρόνον] λῦσον ἄμμιν Pi. P. 4.155.
  • II resolve a whole into its parts, dissolve, break up, λ. ἀγορήν dissolve the assembly, Il. 1.305; ἀγορὰς ἠμὲν λύει ἠδὲ καθίζει Od. 2.69, etc.:—Pass., λῦτο δʼ ἀγών Il. 24.1; μὴ λυθείη ἡ στρατιά X. Cyr. 6.1.2; πρὶν <ἂν> . . ἡ ἀγορὰ (market) λυθῇ Id. Oec. 12.1; λυθείσης τῆς συνουσίας Plb. 5.15.3.
  • • 2 of concrete objects, σπάρτα λέλυνται, i. e. have rotted, Il. 2.135; ῥαφαὶ δʼ ἐλέλυντο ἱμάντων Od. 22.186; λ. τὴν σχεδίην break it up, Hdt. 4.97; [τὴν γέφυραν] X. An. 2.4.17; τὴν ἀπόφραξιν ib. 4.2.25.
    • 3 esp. of physical strength, loosen, i. e. weaken, relax, λῦσε δὲ γυῖα made his limbs slack or loose, i. e. killed him, Il. 4.469, al.; ὅς τοι γούνατʼ ἔλυσα 22.335; πολλῶν τε καὶ ἐσθλῶν γούνατʼ ἔλυσεν 5.176, etc.; ἀλλά οἱ αὖθι λῦσε μένος 16.332; πέλεκυς λῦσεν . . βοὸς μένος Od. 3.450, cf. Il. 17.29; but οἵ μοι καμάτῳ . . γούνατʼ ἔλυσαν made my knees weak with toil, Od. 20.118:—Pass., λύντο δὲ γυῖα, etc., as the effect of death, sleep, weariness, fear, Il. 7.16, etc.; καμάτῳ φίλα γυῖα λέλυντο 13.85, cf. Od. 8.233; αὐτοῦ λύτο γούνατα καὶ φίλον ἦτορ Il. 21.114, 425; λύθη ψυχή τε μένος τε 5.296, etc.; λύθεν δέ οἱ ἅψεα πάντα Od. 4.794, 18.189; λέλυται γυίων ῥώμη A. Pers. 913 (anap.); λύεται δέ μου μέλη E. Hec. 438; λέλυμαι μελέων σύνδεσμα Id. Hipp. 199 (anap.).
    • • b λύει βλέφαρα closes her eyes in sleep, S. Ant. 1302.
      • c metaph., λ. τὴν ἐν ταῖς ψυχαῖς πρὸς μάχην παρασκευήν X. HG 7.5.22.
    • 4 undo, bring to naught, destroy, πολίων κάρηνα Il. 9.25; Τροίης κρήδεμνα 16.100, Od. 13.388, cf. B. Fr. 16.7: generally, put an end to, νείκεα Il. 14.205; μελεδήματα 23.62; ἔριν E. Ph. 81, AP 9.316.12 (Leon.); πόλεμον Th. 5.31; ἐπιμομφάν Pi. O. 10(11).9; μέμψιν Democr. 271; φόβον A. Th. 270; φόβον καὶ τὴν ὑποψίαν Polystr. p.7 W., cf. Epicur. Sent. 12; μοχθήματα S. OC 1616; ἀνάγκας E. Supp. 39; βίον, i.e. die, Id. IT 692; αἰῶνʼ ἔλυσε, i.e. died, B. 1.43; λ. τὸ τέλος βίον S. OC 1720 (lyr.); μαχας Ar. Pax 991 (anap.); νοσήματα Diocl. Fr. 35 (Pass.), cf. Gal. 6.476; κόπους Dsc. Eup. 1.220; forgive, ἁμαρτήματα LXX Jb. 42.9.
    • • b in Prose, λ. νόμους repeal or annul laws, Hdt. 3.82, D. 3.10, Arist. Pol. 1269a15; οὐθὲν τῶν περὶ τὴν πολιτείαν ib. 1298b31; λ. ψήφῳ τὸ παράνομον Aeschin. 3.197 (Pass.), etc.; ἐπεὶ ἐκεῖνοι ἔλυσαν τὰς σπονδὰς λελύσθαι μοι δοκεῖ ἡ ἐκείνων ὕβρις καὶ ἡ ἡμετέρα ὑποψία X. An. 3.1.21; rescind a vote, ψῆφον λύει ὁ νόμος D. 24.2; revoke a will, διαθήκην Is. 6.33, etc. (but in Pass., to be opened, of a will, POxy. 715.19 (ii A. D.), etc.); unbind a spell, Iamb. Myst. 3.27:—Pass., λέλυται πάντα all ties are broken, all is in confusion, D. 25.25.
      • c as a technical term, solve a difficulty, a problem, a question, λύεται ἡ ἀπορία Pl. Prt. 324e, al.; λ. ζήτημα Gal. 6.436.
      • d refute an argument, Pl. Grg. 509a, Arist. Rh. 1402b24, al.; cf. λύσις II.4b, λυτικός II.
      • e unravel the plot of a tragedy, opp. πλέκειν, Id. Po. 1456a10.
      • f λ. τὴν φάσιν, of the Moon, pass out of, Vett.Val. 134.1, cf. 2.
    • 5 break a legal agreement or obligation, τὸν νόμον Hdt. 6.106; τὰς σπονδάς Th. 1.23, 78, cf. 4.23, al.; τὰ συγκείμενα Lys. 6.41; σίς κε τὰς ϝρήτας τάσδε λύση whoso breaks this agreement, Inscr.Cypr. 135.29 H.
    • 6 in physical sense, dissolve, λύθεν, opp. πάγεν, Emp. 15.4; τὸ θερμὸν λύει, opp. πήγνυσι, Arist. Mete. 384b11, cf. 382b33 (Pass.); ἀμμωνιακὸν ὄξει λύσας Gal. 11.106; melt, παγείσας χιόνας Hdn. 8.4.2; τι πυρὶ λ. Hippiatr. 52.
    • 7 of medicines, λ. τὴν κοιλίαν Arist. Pr. 863b29, cf. Hp. Acut.(Sp.) 38, Diocl. Fr. 140; so of the effects of terror, Arist. Pr. 877a32 (Pass.).
    • 8 resolve _ into ⏑⏑, in Pass., Heph. 8, 10, Aristid. Quint. 1.28.
  • III solve, fulfil, accomplish, τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ μαντεῖα S. OT 407; ὅρκον Plb. 6.58.4.
  • IV atone for, make up for, τὰς πρότερον ἁμαρτίας Ar. Ra. 691; λύσων ὅσʼ ἐξήμαρτον S. Ph. 1224; λ. φόνον φόνῳ Id. OT 101, E. Or. 511; αἱ πρόσοδοι λύουσι τἀναλώματα Diph. 32.5:—Med., τῶν πάλαι πεπραγμένων λύσασθʼ αἷμα . . δίκαις A. Ch. 804 (lyr.).
  • V μισθὸν λύειν pay wages in full, quit oneself of them, used only in cases of obligation, X. Ages. 2.31.
  • • 2 τέλη λύειν, = λυσιτελεῖν, pay, profit. avail, ἔνθα μὴ τέλη λύει φρονοῦντι where it boots not to be wise, S. OT 316: but more freq. λύει without τέλη, construed like λυσιτελεῖ, abs., λύει δʼ ἄλγος E. Med. 1362, cf. PSI 4.400.16: c. dat. pers., φημὶ τοιούτους γάμους λύειν βροτοῖσιν E. Alc. 628, cf. Hipp. 441: c. inf., πῶς οὖν λύει . . ἐπιβάλλειν; Id. Med. 1112 (anap.); ἐμοί τε λύει τοῖσι μέλλουσιν τέκνοις τὰ ζῶντʼ ὀνῆσαι it is good for me to benefit my living children by means of those to come, ib. 566; λύει ἀπελθεῖν UPZ 77i12 (ii B.C.): c. acc. et inf., λύει γὰρ ἡμᾶς οὐδέν, οὐδʼ ἐπωφελεῖ, . . θανεῖν it is not expedient that we should die (οὐδʼ ἐπωφελεῖ being parenthetic), S. El. 1005; οὐ γάρ με λύει . . κακορροθεῖσθαι E. Sthen.Prol. 35; cf. λυσιτελέω.

λύω [cf. Lat. luo] impf. ἔλυον, mid. pass. ἐλυόμην ‖ fut. λύ̄σω, mid. λύσομαι ‖ aor. ἔλῡσα, mid. ἐλυσάμην ‖ pf. λέλῠκα, mid. pass. λέλῠμαι ‖ ppf. (ἐ)λελύκειν Lib. Decl. 41.24, al., mid. pass. (ἐ)λελύ̆μην ‖ aor. pass. ἐλύ̆θην ‖ fut. pass. λῠθήσομαι ‖ fut. pf. λελύ̄σομαι

❶ act.
🄰 to loosen, untie, undo, with acc. | naut. ‖ with gen. ‖ fig. ‖ to dissolve, resolve, a plot; difficulties, doubts and so on ‖ to refute
🄱 to let go, liberate, set free, ransom: τινα s.o. | τινος from sthg. | Christ. ‖ to pay a ransom, hence extens. to pay ‖ to expiate, cancel ‖ medic. to free, empty, evacuate
🄲 to break sthg. down into its elements, dissolve, disperse, break into pieces, destroy | to liquefy ‖ metr. to resolve a long syllable into two shorts ‖ fig. to annul, divest, abrogate ‖ to bring to an end, terminate ‖ to exhaust, wear out, weaken ‖ to divide, hence to break, infringe
🄳 intrans. to profit, benefit, be useful ‖ impers.

❷ mid.
🄰 to loosen, untie
🄱 to liberate, free, ransom: τινα s.o. | τινος from sthg.
🄲 to pay, hence expiate, cancel
🄳 to be divided, separated

❸ pass.
🄰 to be loosened or untied or set free, of things and pers. | fig. | with int. acc. ‖ to be resolved
🄱 to be liberated or freed or ransomed ‖ to be expiated, forgiven ‖ medic. to be emptied, evacuated
🄲 to disintegrate or be dissolved or dispersed ‖ to be destroyed ‖ fig. to be annulled or abrogated ‖ to be finished, come to an end ‖ to be worn out or exhausted ‖ metr. to be divided (of a long syllable resolved into two shorts)

❶ act.
🄰 to loosen, untie, undo with acc.: θώρηκα oneʼs armor Il. 16.804; παρθενίην ζώνην the virginal belt Od. 11.245; ἅμμα a knot Hdt. 4.98.2; ἀρβύλας shoes Aeschl. Ag. 944; δεσμά chains Eur. H.F. 1123; κόμαν hair Theocr. 15.134 | naut. πρυμνήσια stern-cables Od. 2.418; ἱστία sails Od. 15.496; λ. πρύμνας to weigh anchor Eur. Hec. 539 = abs. Syn. epist. 5; λ. ἵππους ἐξ ὀχέων to release the horses from a chariot Il. 5.369 = ἵππους ὑπὲξ ὀχέων Il. 8.504 = ἵππους ὑφ’ ἅρμασιν Il. 18.244 = ὑπὸ ζυγόφιν ἵππους Il. 24.576 = ἵππους Od. 4.35; λύων ἡνίαν ἀριστεράν loosening the left rein Soph. El. 743 ‖ with gen. λ. δεσμῶν to free from chains Aeschl. Pr. 1006 = λ. ἐκ δεσμῶν Plat. Rp. 360c; λ. τοῦ ποδός to free from the shackles imprisoning oneʼs feet Plut. Fl. 10 ‖ fig. λ. στόμα to loosen oneʼs tongue, put an end to silence Eur. Hip. 1060 = λ. σιωπήν Alciphr. 3.19.7; στυγνὴν ὀφρὺν λύσασα καὶ γνώμης ὁδόν relaxing your furrowed brow and the course of your thoughts Eur. Hip. 290; παρθένει’ ἔλυσ’ ἐγὼ κορεύματ’ ἐκ τοῦδ’ ἀνδρός I dissolved my virginity by means of this man Eur. Alc. 177; ἔλυσαν μήτραν παρθένου they violated a virginʼs womb VT Jdt. 9.2 | ὅπως τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ μαντεῖ’ ἄριστα λύσομεν how we shall best resolve the oracleʼs prescriptions Soph. O.T. 407 ‖ prov. λύουσ ’ … ἢ ’φάπτουσα undoing or redoing, i.e. whatever I do Soph. Ant. 40 ‖ to dissolve, resolve, the plot of a tragedy Aristot. Poet. 1456a 10; difficulties, doubts and so on Phil.² Leg. 3.60 ‖ to refute Plat. Gorg. 509a Aristot. Rh. 1402b 22 Arr. EpictD. 2.18.17 etc.

🄱 to let go, liberate, set free, ransom τινα s.o. Il. 1.20, 29 etc.; λ. ἀποίνων to free upon payment of ransom Il. 11.106; ἔλυσαν τοὺς πρότερον νόμῳ … ὑπέχοντας τὴν δίκην they set free those who previously underwent a penalty by law Demosth. 24.206 | τινά τινος s.o. from sthg. Od. 5.397 Bacchyl. Epin. 13.113 Soph. Tr. 181 etc. | fig. πόνων ἐκ τῶνδ’ ἐμὲ λύσει it shall free me from these sufferings Aeschl. Pr. 873 | Christ. λῦσαί τινα ἐκ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν to redeem s.o. from sins NT Rev. 1.5; λύειν τοὺς ἡμαρτηκότας to absolve sinners (said of a bishop) CAp. 2.20.10, al.; τὸ ἁμαρτήματα λῦσαι the remission of sins Io. HMt 7.548C ‖ to pay a ransom, hence extens. to pay: μισθόν wages Xen. Ag. 2.31 ‖ to expiate, cancel: φόνῳ φόνον λύοντας expiating murder by murder Soph. O.T. 101; λύσων ὅσ’ ἐξήμαρτον ἐν τῷ πρὶν χρόνῳ to cancel previous faults Soph. Ph. 1224; λῦσαι τὰς πρότερον ἁμαρτίας to cancel previous errors Aristoph. Ran. 691 ‖ medic. to free, empty, evacuate: τὴν κοιλίαν the belly Aristot. Pr. 863b 29

🄲 to break sthg. down into its elements, dissolve, disperse: ἀγορήν an assembly Il. 1.305 etc.; λ. γούνατά τινος to dissolve the knees of s.o., i.e. murder s.o. Il. 5.176, al. = λ. γούνατά τινι Il. 22.335 = λ. μένος τινί Il. 16.332 | to break into pieces, destroy: γέφυραν a bridge Hdt. 4.134.3 Xen. An. 2.4.19 | to liquefy Aristot. Meteor. 384b 11 Hdn.¹ 8.4.2 etc. ‖ metr. to resolve a long syllable into two shorts Heph. Ench. 13.4 etc. ‖ fig. to annul, divest, abrogate: τὸν νόμον a law Hdt. 3.31.5 Demosth. 3.10 etc.; μηδὲν τῶν ἐν τοῖς ἔθεσι none of the traditional customs Phil.² Migr. 90; λύειν τὸ σάββατον to violate the Sabbath NT John 5.18 ‖ to put an end to, terminate: νείκεα disputes Il. 14.205 Od. 7.74 etc.; ἔριν discord Eur. Ph. 81 Leon. (AP 9.316.12); πόλεμον war Thuc. 5.31.2; τάσδ’ ἀνάγκας ἱκεσίους these insistent pleas Eur. Suppl. 39; βίον life, i.e. to die Eur. I.T. 692; ὠδῖνας … λῦσαι to put an end to birth-pangs, give birth VT Job 39.2 but τὰς αὐτὰς λῦσαι ὠδῖνας to be (uterine) siblings Io. HRom. 9.610E, HMt 7.375A (spiritually, of the baptized), al. | ἔλυσεν τὸ τέλος … βίου he completed the end of life Soph. O.C. 1720 ‖ to exhaust, wear out, weaken: καμάτῳ … γούνατα oneʼs knes with fatigue Od. 20.118; fig. τὴν ἐν ταῖς ψυχαῖς πρὸς μάχην παρασκευήν the soulsʼ disposition to fight Xen. Hel. 7.5.22 ‖ to divide, hence to break, infringe: τὰς σπονδάς the truce Thuc. 1.23.4, al. Xen. An. 3.1.21; τὰ συγκείμενα agreements Lys. 6.41

🄳 intrans. to pay off, benefit, be useful: λύει δ’ ἄλγος my pain is useful Eur. Med. 1362; φημὶ τοιούτους γάμους λύειν βροτοῖσιν I say that such marriages benefit mortals Eur. Alc. 628 ‖ impers. λύει: ἐμοί τε λύει … τὰ ζῶντα ὀνῆσαι it benefits me to favor the children already born Eur. Med. 566; οὐ γὰρ ἐδόκει λύειν αὐτοὺς νυκτὸς πορεύεσθαι indeed, it did not seem fitting that they should travel by night Xen. An. 3.4.36; with τέλη = λυσιτελεῖ Soph. O.T. 316

❷ mid.
🄰 to loosen, untie: ἀπὸ στήθεσφιν … κεστὸν ἱμάντα from her breast the elaborate strap Il. 14.214; τεύχε’ ἀπ’ ὤμων the arms from oneʼs shoulders Il. 17.318; ἵππους houses Il. 23.7; ὑφ’ ἅρματος αὐχένας the reins from a chariot Callim. H. 5.10

🄱 to liberate, free, ransom τινα s.o. Il. 1.13, al. Od. 10.284, al. Plat. Menex. 243c Aristoph. Ve. 1353 etc.; λ. τοὺς αἰχμαλώτους ἐκ τῶν ἰδίων to ransom the prisoners at oneʼs own expense Demosth. 19.229 | τινος to free from sthg. Hes. Th. 528 Aeschl. Suppl. 1065

🄲 to pay, hence to expiate, cancel: τῶν πάλαι πεπραγμένων … αἷμα … δίκαις the blood of ancient crimes with acts of justice Aeschl. Ch. 805

🄳 to be divided, separated: ἀπ’ ἀλλήλων from one another Xen. Cyr. 1.1.4

❸ pass.
🄰 to be loosened or untied or set free, of things Aeschl. Sept. 396 etc.; of pers. Od. 8.360 etc.; λυθεὶς γὰρ τῶν ἀρρήκτων σώματος … δεσμῶν finally freed from the unbreakable bonds of the body Phil.² Det. 158 | fig. λέλυται γὰρ λαὸς ἐλεύθερα βάζειν, ὡς ἐλύθη ζυγὸν ἀλκᾶς the people is free to speak freely once the yoke of power has been loosened Aeschl. Pers. 592; ἀδέσμῷ λελυμένῃ καὶ ἐλευθέρᾳ προαιρέσει released and unbound, independent and free Phil.² Deus 114; of a mute person ἐλύθη ὁ δεσμὸς τῆς γλώσσης his tongue was loosened NT Mark 7.35; λέλυσαι ἀπὸ γυναικός you are free from bonds to a woman, i.e. you are not married NT 1Cor. 7.27 | with int. acc.: ἐλύθη τὰς πέδας he was released from his shackles Diod. 17.116.2 ‖ to be solved: λύεται ἡ ἀπορία the difficulty has been solved Plat. Prot. 324e

🄱 to be liberated or freed or ransomed: ἐκ μεγάλων πενθέων from great struggle Pind. I. 8.6; ἐλύθη χρημάτων μεγάλων she was liberated at great expense Hdt. 2.135; ἀνὴρ ἀντ’ ἀνδρὸς λυθείς freed through exchange of man for man Thuc. 5.3.4 ‖ to be expiated, remitted: αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου λυθήσονται your sins shall be forgiven VT Sir. 28.2 ‖ medic. to be emptied, evacuated (of the belly and the bladder) Aristot. Pr. 877a 32

🄲 to disintegrate or be dissolved or dispersed Il. 2.135 (of ropes) 24.1 (of a race) Xen. Cyr. 5.3.58 (of a formation) etc. | αὐτοῦ λύτο γούνατα his knees were loosened, i.e. gave way Il. 21.114, al.; σὴ δὲ βίη λέλυται your vigor has been dissipated Il. 8.103; τοῦ δ’ αὖθι λύθη ψυχή τε μένος τε his life and vigor suddenly gave way Il. 5.296; λύεται δέ μου μέλη my limbs are loosened Eur. Hec. 438 ‖ to be destroyed: λέλυται τὰ πάντα all is ruined Demosth. 25.25 ‖ fig. to be annulled or abrogated: ἐπειδὰν δὲ τῇ πρώτῃ ψήφῳ μὴ λυθῇ τὸ παράνομον unless the accusation of illegality is annulled at the first votes Aeschn. 3.197; οὐ δύναται λυθῆναι ἡ γραφή the validity of Scripture cannot be abolished NT John 10.35 ‖ to be finished, at an end: λελύσθαι μοι δοκεῖ καὶ ἡ ἐκείνων ὕβρις καὶ ἡ ἡμετέρα ὑποψία it sees to me that their violence and our suspicion are over Xen. An. 3.1.21 ‖ to be worn out or exhausted: καμάτῳ φίλα γυῖα λέλυντο their limbs were exhausted with fatigue Il. 13.85 ‖ metr. to be divided (of a long syllable resolved into two shorts) Heph. Ench. 8.8, 10.1 etc.

● pres. and impf. ῠ, but s.times Hom. and Att. ῡ ‖ epic impf. 3. sg. λύ̆ε Il. 10.498 and λῦε Ap. 4.1171, iter. (in tmesis) ἀνὰ … λύεσκε Ap. 3.822, mid. pass. λυόμην ‖ epic aor. 3. sg. λύ̆το Il. 21.114, but λῦτο Il. 24.1 3. pl. λύντο Il. 7.16 ‖ epic pf. opt. 3. sg. λελῦτο Od. 18.238 ‖ epic aor. pass. 3. pl. λύθεν epic λύ̆μην Il. 21.80.

λύω, λύσω, ep. aor. synkop. λύμην, Il. 21.80, λύτο, λύντο, λελῦτο (Bekker λελῦντο) ist Od. 18.238 optat. perf. pass., λελύσεται, Dem. 14.2 :
lösen ;
1) losmachen, losknüpfen, losbinden, Kleidungs- u. Waffenstücke, λῦσε δέ οἱ θώρηκα, Il. 16.804, u. im med., λύσασθαι ἱμάντα, sich den eigenen Gürtel lösen, 14.214, aber λύοντο δὲ τεύχεα, sie nahmen ihnen, den Anderen die Waffen ab, um sie als Waffenbeute für sich zu behalten, 17.318 ; – ζωστῆρα, den Gürtel abbinden, Il. 4.215, u. ζώνην παρθενίην λύειν, den jungfräulichen Gürtel lösen, d.i. der Jungfrau zum erstenmale beiwohnen, Od. 11.245 ; ähnlich λύοι χαλινὸν ὑφʼ ἥρωϊ παρθενίας Pind. I. 7.52 ; ἔνθα παρθένειʼ – ἔλυσʼ ἐγὼ κορεύματα Eur. Alc. 175 ; ὁ δʼ αὐτίκα λύσατο μίτρην Musaeus. – Uebertr. auch ὄφρʼ οἶοι Τροίης ἱερὰ κρήδεμνα λύωμεν, Il. 16.100, wie Od. 13.388 (s. unten). – Von den Schiffstauen öfter, τοὶ δὲ πρυμνήσιʼ ἔλυσαν, Od. 2.418, 15.552, womit λύον ἱστία, ib. 496, zu vergleichen ; u. ähnl. λαῖφος, πείρατα, ὅπλα νηός, od., wie νεῶν πόδα, Eur. Hec. 1020 ; ἀσκὸν μὲν λῦσαν, sie banden den Schlauch auf, Od. 10.47, wie Eur. El. 511 ; – ὑπαί τις ἀρβύλας λύοι τάχος, Aesch. Ag. 919, πέδας, Eum. 615, κλείθρων λυθέντων, Spt. 378 ; λύει τὸν αὑτῆς πέπλον, Soph. Tr. 920, στολάς, O.C. 1593, auch ἡνίαν, den Zügel losmachen, nachlassen, El. 733 ; γράμματα, δέλτον, auflösen, öffnen, Eur. I.A. 38, 307 ; κλῇθρα μοχλοῖς, I.T. 99 ; vgl. διαθήκας λύειν, DC. 55.9, s. unten 4. – Λέλυκα στόμα, Isocr. 12.96 ; vgl. Eur. Hipp. 1060, wie γλώσσας ἐς αἰσχροὺς μύθους, Criti. bei Ath. X.432e.
2) losspannen, abspannen, ἵππους ἐξ ὀχέων, Il. 5.369, wie ὑπὲξ ὀχέων, 8.504 u. öfter ; auch ἔλυσαν ὑφʼ ἅρμασιν ὠκέας ἵππους, 18.244, wie ὑπὸ ζυγόφιν, 24.576, u. ohne weitern Zusatz, ἵππους, u. im med., λύεσθαι ἵππους ὑπʼ ὄχεσφι, seine Pferde vom Wagen, eigtl. unter das Joch weg, losspannen, 23.7, 11 ; βόε λῦσαι, Hes. O. 610, Ggstz ζεύγνυμι. Ueberh.
3) losbinden, Od. 12.53, 163, u. dah. befreien, aus Gefangenschaft auslösen, τὴν δʼ ἐγὼ οὐ λύσω, ich werde sie nicht freigeben, Il. 1.29, ἦλθε λυσόμενος – θύγατρα, um seine Tochter auszulösen, ib. 13 ; αἶψά κεν ἔντεα καλὰ λύσειαν, 17.163, ὅπως λύσειεν Ἄρηα, Od. 8.345, öfter ; vgl. noch ἀλλʼ ἄγε δὴ λῦσον, νεκροῖο δὲ δέξαι ἄποινα, 24.137, u. ἔλυσεν ἀποίνων, er gab ihn um Lösegeld los, 11.106. Aus Not u. Gefahren befreien, λύειν τινὰ κακότητος, Einen vom Elend erlösen, Od. 5.397, 13.321 ; vgl. Pind. ἔλυσεν ἐξ ἀτιμίας, Ol. 4.23, wie ἐκ πενθέων λυθέντες, I. 7.6 ; τίς οὖν ὁ λύσων σʼ ἔσται, der Befreier, Aesch. Prom. 773 ; ὃς πόνων ἐκ τῶνδʼ ἐμὲ λύσει, 875, λῦσαί με δεσμῶν τῶνδε, 1008, u. im med., ὅσπερ Ἰὼ πημονᾶς ἐλύσατο, Suppl. 1051 ; πρῶτος ἀγγέλων ὄκνου σε λύσω, Soph. Tr. 180 ; τῆς νῦν παρούσης πημονῆς λύσεις βάρος, El. 927 ; δεσμὰ παιδός, Eur. Herc.Fur. 1123. Auch in Prosa, λύουσιν οἱ ἕνδεκα Σωκράτη, Plat. Phaed. 59e ; ἐκ δεσμῶν, Rep. II.360c ; αἱ νεωστὶ ἐκ δουλείας λελυμέναι, IX.574d ; λύσασθαι ἐκ τῶν πολεμίων, loskaufen, Lys. 19.59 ; Xen. An. 7.8.6 ; χρημάτων, Her. 2.135 ; λυθεὶς ἀνὴρ ἀντʼ ἀνδρός, Thuc. 5.3. Aber λύειν τινὰ ἀρχῆς ist = absetzen, DS. 13.92.
4) auflösen, aufheben, ἀγορήν, Il. 1.305, λύτο ἀγών, 24.1, θέμις ἀνδρῶν ἀγορὰς ἠμὲν λύει ἠδὲ καθίζει, Od. 2.69. – Daher = einen Streit beilegen, schlichten, νείκεα, Od. 7.74, vgl. Il. 14.502, 304 ; νεῖκος οὐκ ἐν ἀργύρου λαβῇ ἔλυσεν, Aesch. Suppl. 914 ; νεῖκος πατρί, Eur. Hipp. 1442 ; ἔριν, Phoen. 81 ; – so auch ἀπορίαν, eine Schwierigkeit beseitigen, eine schwierige Frage lösen, Plat. Prot. 324e, Rep. VIII.556a ; oft bei Arist. u. Rhett., bei denen es auch geradezu die Bdtg »widerlegen« annimmt, vgl. Arist. rhet. 2.25. Pol. πόλεμον, πολιορκίαν λύειν, beilegen, aufheben, 25.5.1, 2.9.9, συνουσίαν, 5.15.3. – Auch = Schmerzen, Sorgen stillen, beschwichtigen, mildern, ὕπνος λύων μελεδήματα θυμοῦ, Il. 23.62, Od. 20.56 u. öfter bei sp.D. – Auch stärker, geradezu vernichten, zerstören, πολίων κάρηνα, Il. 2.118, wohin auch der oben angeführte bildliche Ausdruck Τροίης κρήδεμνα λύωμεν gehört ; Τρώων ἔλυσε δόμους, Pind. P. 11.34 ; γέφυραν, die Brücke abbrechen, Xen. An. 2.4.17 ; νόμους, Gesetze aufheben, abschaffen, Her. 3.82 ; ὅρκον, den Eid brechen, Xen. An. 3.2.10 ; Pol. 6.58 u. A.; so auch πίστιν, σπονδάς u. ähnliche ; τὴν ψῆφον λύει καὶ ποιεῖ τοῦ μηδενὸς ἀξίαν, Dem. 24.2, den Beschluß umstoßen, wie διαθήκην, Isae. 1.3, 6.33. – Woran sich die bei Hom. so häufige Vrbdg γυῖα, γούνατα, ἅψεα λύειν τινός od. τινί reiht, die Glieder lösen, erschlaffen machen, teils als Ausdruck für »töten«, »erschlagen«, bes. in der Il. häufig, auch λῦσε βοὸς μένος, Od. 3.450, teils die Ermattung, Ermüdung, die Folge des Schlafes, Schreckens, Staunens bezeichnend, καμάτῳ θυμαλγέϊ γούνατʼ ἔλυσαν ἄλφιτα τευχούσῃ, Od. 20.118, σὴ δὲ βίη λέλυται, von Altersschwachen, Il. 8.103, auch von morschen Stricken, σπάρτα λέλυνται, 2.135 ; so auch bei den Tragg., λέλυται γὰρ ἐμῶν γυίων ῥώμη Aesch. Pers. 877, λέλυμαι μελέων σύνδεσμα Eur. Hipp. 199.
5) τέλη, μισθοὺς λύειν, Abgaben, Sold bezahlen, u. so von Dingen, zu deren Abtragung man verpflichtet ist, sich von einer Schuld, Verpflichtung losmachen, auch übertr., λύσων ὅσʼ ἐξήμαρτον ἐν τῷ πρὶν χρόνῳ, Soph. Phil. 1208 ; τὰς πρότερον ἁμαρτίας, abbüßen od. wieder gut machen, Ar. Ran. 690 ; φόνῳ φόνον λύσει ; Eur. Or. 510. – Dah. auch = λυσιτελεῖν, eigtl. λύειν τέλη, die Kosten ersetzen, nützen, Soph. O.R. 317 ; τινί, öfter bei Eur., vgl. Med. 566, 1112, 1362, Alc. 631.
[Υ, im praes. u. impf. kurz, ist Il. 23.513, Od. 7.74 lang gebraucht in der Bershebung, in der es auch bei attischen Dichtern lang wird. Bei sp.D., wie Ap.Rh. 3.822, zuweilen auch in der Verssenkung lang. was sich auch schon in ἀλλϋεσκεν Od. 2.105, 109 findet ; im fut. u. aor. act. u. med. ist υ stets lang, im perf. u. plus qpf. aber act. u. pass., wie im aor. pass. kurz, nur. Il. 24.1 ist λύτο im Anfange des Verses mit langem υ gebraucht, also mit Vekker λῦτο zu schreiben ; λύμην mit kurzem υ steht Il. 21.80, wie λύτο 21.114.]

λύω

3 sing. aor. pass. λύθη Il. 5.296, Il. 8.123, 315, Il. 17.298.

3 pl. λύθεν Il. 16.805, Il. 18.31 : Od. 4.794, Od. 8.360, Od. 18.189, 341.

Aor. λύμην Il. 21.80.

3 sing. λύτο Il. 21.114, 425 : Od. 4.703, Od. 5.297, 406, Od. 18.212, Od. 22.68, 147, Od. 23.205, Od. 24.345. λῦτο Il. 24.1.

3 pl. λύντο Il. 7.12, 16, Il. 15.435.

3 sing. pf. λέλυται Il. 8.103, Il. 24.599.

3 pl. λέλυνται Il. 2.135, Il. 7.6 : Od. 8.233, Od. 18.242.

3 sing. opt. λελῦτο Od. 18.238.

3 pl. plupf. ἐλέλυντο Od. 22.186. λέλυντο Il. 13.85.

(ἀνα-, ἀπο-, ἐκ-, ἐξανα-, κατα-, ὑπεκπρο-, ὑπο-.)

• • 1

    To loosen, undo, unfasten, untie : ζωστῆρα Il. 4.215. Cf. Il. 16.804 : πρυμνήσια Od. 2.418. Cf. Od. 3.392, Od. 5.459, Od. 13.77, etc.

    In mid.: λύοντο τεύχεʼ ἀπʼ ὤμων Il. 17.318.

    In proper mid. sense of unfastening something from oneself : ἀπὸ στήθεσφιν ἐλύσαθʼ ἱμάντα Il. 14.214.

    Of loosening the maiden girdle Od. 11.245.

    To undo the fastening of : ἀσκόν Od. 10.47.

    To strike (sail) : λύον ἱστία Od. 15.496.

  • 2

    To set free from bonds or confinement, to release, relax one’s hold upon : λῦσαι γέροντα Od. 4.422, ἐπεὶ ἐκ δεσμοῖο λύθεν Od. 8.360. Cf. Od. 8.345, 347, Od. 10.298, 387, Od. 11.296, Od. 12.53, 163, 193.

    In mid., to set oneself free Od. 9.463.

    To rescue from bonds, effect the release of Il. 15.22.

    In mid. : ἦ τοὺς λυσόμενος δεῦρʼ ἔρχεαι; Od. 10.284. Cf. Od. 10.385.

    To release (from trouble or sickness) : θεοὶ κακότητος ἔλυσαν Od. 5.397. Cf. Od. 13.321.

    To save (from imminent danger) Od. 16.364.

  • 3

    To set free (a captive) for ransom: παῖδʼ ἐμοὶ λύσαιτε Il. 1.20. Cf. Il. 1.29, Il. 21.80.

    With genit. of price : ἔλυσεν ἀποίνων Il. 11.106.

    Of restoring a corpse Il. 24.76, 116, 137, 555, 561, 593, 599.

    Of restoring the armour of a slain foe Il. 17.163.

    In mid., to effect the ransoming of : ξεῖνός μιν ἐλύσατο Il. 21.42. Cf. Il. 1.13 = 372, Il. 10.378.

    So of effecting the restoration of a corpse Il. 24.118 = 146 = 195, 175, 237, 502, 685.

  • 4

    To unyoke (horses, etc.) : λῦσαν ἵππους Il. 8.433. Cf. Il. 5.369, Il. 11.620, Il. 18.244, Il. 23.27, Il. 24.576, etc.: Od. 4.35, 39, Od. 7.6.

    In mid. Il. 23.7, 11.

    To untether (horses) Il. 10.480, 498.

  • 5

    To settle or compose (a dispute, quarrel or difference) : καὶ ἀνδράσι νείκεα λύει Od. 7.74. Cf. Il. 14.205 = 304.

  • 6

    To dissolve or dismiss (an assembly), allow or cause (it) to disperse : λῦσαν ἀγορήν Il. 1.305. Cf. Il. 2.808, Il. 19.276, Il. 24.1 : Od. 2.69, 257.

  • 7

    To disperse (cares) : λύων μελεδήματα θυμοῦ Il. 23.62 : =Od. 20.56, Od. 23.343.

  • 8

    With notion of destruction, to resolve into the component parts, disintegrate, cause to part : σπάρτα λέλυνται (lie in decay) Il. 2.135 : ὄφρʼ ἀπὸ τοίχους λῦσε κλύδων τρόπιος Od. 12.421.

    To cause (stitches) to give way or come undone : ῥαφαὶ ἐλέλυντο ἱμάντων Od. 22.186.

    To bring to ruin, destroy : ὄφρα Τροίης κρήδεμνα λύωμεν Il. 16.100. Cf. Il. 2.118=Il. 9.25 : Od. 13.388.

  • 9

    To break up or dissipate (the vital forces), to break up, dissipate or suspend the vital forces or the strength in (the limbs, the heart, etc.), to cause (the limbs, etc.) to give way or collapse.

  • • a

      By the application of force to fatal or nearly fatal effect : οὔτησε ξυστῷ, λῦσε δὲ γυῖα Il. 4.469, τοῦ λύθη γυχή τε μένος τε Il. 5.296. Cf. Il. 5.176, Il. 7.12, Il. 13.360, Il. 16.332, Il. 17.29, etc. : Od. 14.69, 236, Od. 18.238, 242, Od. 24.381.

      In reference to an animal : λῦσεν βοὸς μένος Od. 3.450.

    • b

      By strong emotion, fear, stupor : τὸν ἄτη φρένας εἷλε, λύθεν δʼ ὑπὸ γυῖα Il. 16.805. Cf. Il. 18.31, Il. 21.114, 425 : Οδυσσῆος λύτο γούνατα καὶ ἦτορ Od. 5.297= 406= Od. 22.147. Cf. Od. 4.703, Od. 18.212, 341, Od. 22.68, Od. 23.205, Od. 24.345.

    • c

      By weariness, exhaustion, hardship : καμάτῳ ὑπὸ γυῖα λέλυνται Il. 7.6. Cf. Il. 13.85 : Od. 8.233, Od. 20.118.

      Sim. of the effects of old age Il. 8.103.

      Of relaxation of the limbs in sleep Od. 4.794=Od. 18.189.

λύω (λῠοι: aor. (ἔ)λῡσε(ν); λῦσον; λύ̄σαις; λῦσαι: med. ἐλύ̄σατο: pass. impf. λύετο: aor. λῠθέντες: ῡ aor. act. & med., ῠ pres., aor. pass.)

• • a release διάπειρα ἅπερ Κλυμένοιο παῖδα ἔλυσεν ἐξ ἀτιμίας O. 4.20 λῦσε δὲ Ζεὺς ἄφθιτος Τιτᾶνας P. 4.291 ἐκ μεγάλων δὲ πενθέων λυθέντες, μήτʼ ἐν ὀρφανίᾳ πέσωμεν στεφάνων I. 8.6 of possessions, “τὰ μὲν ἄνευ ξυνᾶς ἀνίας λῦσον” i. e. make available P. 4.155 med., Ἑλέναν τʼ ἐλύσατο Τροίας ἶνας ἐκταμὼν δορί sc. Achilles I. 8.51 add. gen., τοὺς μὲν ὦν λύσαις ἄλλον ἀλλοίων ἀχέων ἔξαγεν sc. Asklepios P. 3.50 ἐπεὶ ἀμφʼ Ἑλένᾳ πυρωθέντων Τρώων ἔλυσε δόμους ἁβρότατος P. 11.34 ἁνίκʼ ἀγανόφρων Κοίου θυγάτηρ λύετο τερπνᾶς ὠδῖνος (v. l. τερπνὰς ὠδῖνας) Πα. 12. 13. κείνων λυθέντες σαῖς ὑπὸ χερσίν, ἄναξ (δεσμῶν supp. Wil.) fr. 35.
  • b remove “λύοι κεν χαλινὸν ὑφʼ ἥρωι παρθενίας” (sc. Θέτις) I. 8.45 ὅμως δὲ λῦσαι δυνατὸς ὀξεῖαν ἐπιμομφὰν τόκος O. 10.9
  • c in tmesis, ἀνὰ δʼ ἔλυσεν (v. ἀναλύω) N. 10.90

λύω , ipf. ἔλυον, λύε, fut. λύσω, aor. ἔλῡσα, λῦσεν, mid. aor. ἐλύσαο, inf. λύσασθαι, aor. 2, w. pass. signif., λύτο, λύντο, pass. perf. λέλυμαι, opt. λελῦτο, aor. λύθη, 3 pl. λύθεν: I. act., loose, loosen, set free, of undoing garments, ropes, Il. 4.215, Od. 11.245, Od. 2.415; unharnessing horses, Od. 4.35; of freeing from bonds or captivity (said of the captor), Il. 1.20; pass., of anything giving way, coming apart, Il. 2.135, Od. 22.186; fig., in senses answering to those enumerated, τινὰ κακότητος, ‘deliver’ from misery; ἀγορήν, ‘dismiss’; so λύτο δʼ ἀγών; and with reference to emotion, or fainting, death, λύτο γούνατα καὶ φίλον ἦτορ, ‘gave way,’ ‘sank,’ ‘quaked’ (sometimes the act., Od. 20.118); of sleep ‘relaxing’ the limbs, or ‘dissolving’ cares, Od. 4.794, Il. 23.62; of ‘undoing’ (destroying) cities, Il. 2.118.—III. mid., loose or undo oneself, Od. 9.463, or something of oneʼs own, get loosed or released, ransom; λῡσόμενος θύγατρα, said of the father, Il. 1.13; cf. the act., v. 20.

λύω Dep.

• Orig. sense, to loose:
• • Iof things, to loosen, unbind, unfasten, ζωστῆρα, θώρηκα Il.; ἀσκὸν λ. to untie a skin (used as a bottle), Od.; λ. ἡνίαν to slack the rein, Soph.; λ. γράμματα to open a letter, Eur.; στόμα λ. to open the mouth, Eur.; λ. ὀφρύν to unfold the brow, Eur., etc.:—Mid., ἐλύσατο ἱμάντα undid her belt, Il.; λύσασθαι τρίχα to unbind oneʼs hair, Bion.
  • • 2of living beings,
    • • aof horses, etc., to undo, unyoke, unharness, Hom.; Mid., λύεσθαι ἵππους ὑπʼ ὄχεσφι to unyoke oneʼs horses, Il.
      • bof men, to loose, release from bonds or prison, from difficulty or danger, Hom., Att:—Mid. to get one loosed or set free, Hes.
      • cof prisoners, to release on receipt of ransom (ἄποινα), hold to ransom, release, Hom.; λύειν τινὰ ἀποίνων on payment of ransom, Il.:—Mid. to release by payment of ransom, to get a person released, to ransom, redeem, Hom., Attic
    • 3to give up, [θρόνον λῦσον ἄμμιν Pind.
  • IIto resolve a whole into its parts, to dissolve, break up, λ. ἀγορήν to dissolve the assembly, Hom.; also to break up the market, Xen.:— Pass., λῦτο ἀγών Il.; ἐλύθη ἡ στρατιά Xen.
  • • 2to loosen, slacken, σπάρτα λέλυνται, i. e. have rotted, Il.
    • 3to loosen, i. e. weaken, relax, λῦσέ οἱ γυῖα made his limbs slack or loose, i. e. killed him, Il.; λ. μένος τινί Il.; but, καμάτωι γούνατʼ ἔλυσαν made the knees weak with toil, Od.:—so in Pass., λύντο δὲ γυῖα, as the effect of death, sleep, weariness, fear, etc., Il., etc.; γυῖα λέλυντο Hom., etc.
    • 4to undo, bring to naught, break down, destroy, Hom.: and generally, to undo, do away with, put an end to, Lat. dissolvere, Hom., Attic; λ. βίον, i. e. to die, Eur.
    • • bto repeal, annul, do away with, Hdt., etc.; λ. ψῆφον to rescind a vote, Dem.:— Pass., λέλυται πάντα all ties are broken, Dem.
      • cto solve a problem or difficulty, Plat.
      • dto refute an argument, Arist.
      • eto unravel the plot of a tragedy, Arist.
    • 5to break a law or treaty, Hdt., Thuc.
  • IIIto solve, fulfil, accomplish, τὰ μαντεῖα Soph.
  • IVto atone for, make up for, Lat. luere, Soph., Eur.
  • Vμισθοὺς λύειν to pay wages in full, Xen.
  • • 2τέλη λύειν λυσιτελεῖν, to pay, profit, avail, ἔνθα μὴ τέλη λύει φρονοῦντι where it boots not to be wise, Soph.; also λύει alone, much like λυσιτελεῖ, λύει ἄλγος Eur.; φημὶ τοιούτους γάμους λύειν βροτοῖς Eur.