Teeth
The words ὀδὁντες and dentes (both meaning "teeth") are frequently used to denote anchors in Greek and Latin poems. The invention of the teeth is ascribed by Pliny to the Tuscans; but Pausanias gives the credit to Midas, king of Phrygia. Originally there was only one fluke or tooth, whence anchors were called ἑτερόστομοι; but a second was added, according to Pliny, by Eupalamus, or, according to Strabo, by Anacharsis, the Scythian philosopher. The anchors with two teeth were called ἀμϕἱβολοι or ἀμϕἱστομοι, and from ancient monuments appear to have resembled generally those used in modern days except that the stock is absent from them all. Every ship had several anchors; the largest, corresponding to our sheet anchor, was used only in extreme danger, and was hence peculiarly termed ἱερά or sacra, whence the proverb sacram anchram solvere, as flying to the last refuge.
Read more about this topic: History Of The Anchor
Famous quotes containing the word teeth:
“The body prospered, teeth in the marrowed gums,
The growing bones, the rumour of manseed
Within the hallowed gland, blood blessed the heart....”
—Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)
“I’d like to live another hundred years yet—and I don’t know but I will, too. My teeth are good, and if I can get enough to eat, I don’t know why I should die. There’s no use in dying—you ain’t good for anything after you are dead.”
—Sylvia Dubois (1788?–1889)
“The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”
—Bible: Hebrew Ezekiel, 18:2.
Proverbial reproach by God, concerning the land of Israel. The same image is used in Jeremiah 31:29.