Movable nu


In ancient Greek grammar, movable nu, movable N or ephelcystic nu is a letter nu placed on the end of some grammatical forms in Attic or Ionic Greek. It is used to avoid two vowels in a row and to create a long syllable in poetic meter as a form of epenthesis.

Grammatical forms

Movable nu may appear at the end of certain forms of verbs, nouns, and adjectives. In grammatical paradigms, it is usually written with a parenthesis to indicate that it is optional.

Usage

Movable nu is used before words starting in a vowel to prevent hiatus.
  • πᾶσιν ἔλεγεν ἐκεῖνα "he said those things to everyone"
It is often omitted before consonants, but may be included there to produce a heavy syllable where the poetic meter requires one
  • πᾶσι λέγουσι ταῦτα "they say these things to everyone"
  • πᾶσι λέγουσιν ταῦτα "they say these things to everyone" with the dactylic pattern – ⏑ ⏑ | – – | – ×
It is often used at the end of clauses or verses.