Line 1349
εἱειειειλίσσουσα χεροῖν
The adverbial prefix εἱ- in εἱειειειλίσσουσα is a rare, intensifying reduplication (or 'pleonastic' doubling) of the standard εἰ- found in εἱλίσσω. While εἱλίσσω generally means 'to wind' or 'to twist', the triple or quadruple vowel extension here serves a specific comic function, mimicking the visual and auditory sensation of continuous, convoluted, or excessive twisting motion. This morphological play is characteristic of Aristophanic onomatopoeia, where the form of the word enacts the action described, distinct from standard Doric or Attic verbal forms found elsewhere in the corpus.
Frogs. Aristophanes. . 2026-09-08.