perispomenonn.adj.

Etymology: < post-classical Latin perispomenon word having a circumflex accent (5th cent.), circumflex accent (6th cent.) or its etymon Hellenistic Greek περισπώμενον, neuter present participle passive of περισπᾶν to pronounce (any syllable, especially the last syllable) with the circumflex accent, already in ancient Greek in sense to draw off or away, divert < περι- peri- prefix + σπᾶν to draw (see spasm n.). In quot. 1818 at sense A. after German Perispomenon (plural Perispomena ; 1807 in the passage translated). Compare properispomenon n.The word is well attested in post-classical Latin grammarians, often in the Greek form (as far as the textual transmission may be trusted). The feminine form is also found (Greek περισπωμένη, short for προσῳδία περισπωμένη circumflex accent; post-classical Latin perispomena, short for accentus perispomena). Compare Old English pereospomine circumflex (one isolated attestation, based on post-classical Latin perispomene in Isidore, a636):OE Byrhtferð Enchiridion (Ashm.) (1995) iii. iii. 174 Tyn hiw habbað þa boceras on heora gesetnyssum, mid þam hig todælað and amearkiað heora accentas:..Pereospomine, þæt ys circumflexos accentus, þæt ys gebiged accent.