Abarim Publications' online Biblical Greek Dictionary
αλεξω
The verb αλεξω (alexo) means to ward off, to turn aside or defend. Some compound words that contain this verb are: αλεξητης (alexetes), meaning averter; αλεξημα (alexema), meaning a defense or remedy; αλεξαιθριος (alexaithrios), meaning screening from chilled air. But the most important derivative of our verb is of course the name Alexander: Defender of Men.
Our verb stems from the Proto-Indo-European root "hlek-", meaning the same but also referring to a ritualistically closed off or protected space: a holy place or temple. This verb is not used in the New Testament, but from it come:
- The noun αλεκτωρ (alektor), literally meaning one who wards off, or one who defends. It's the common word for rooster, the Greek equivalent of the more familiar Latin noun gallus (see Galatia). Greek mythology tells of several (minor) characters named Alector (Defender), and with his dying words Socrates stressed Crito that they owed Asclepius a rooster. A derived adjective (not used in the New Testament) αλεκτος (alektos) describes an unmarried man or a unhallow marriage. Our noun αλεκτωρ (alektor), rooster, is used 12 times in the New Testament, see full concordance, all in the context of the rooster crowing upon Peter's betrayal of Christ. From this noun in turn comes:
- Together with the noun φωνη (phone), voice: the noun αλεκτωροφωνια (alektorophonia), meaning a rooster's crow (Mark 13:35 only).