From the book
Lysis
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordAmphisbēteō means dispute a claim; disagree about which of two has it.
- In LysisMenexenus answers “we dispute it” when Socrates asks which boy is older.
- Reading contextIt also prepares for Menexenus’ later reputation as argumentative, although the immediate question concerns comparative status and age rather than a developed philosophical thesis.
- A place to readThe Greek example means “We dispute it.”
- English renderings
- Dispute a claim; disagree about which of two has it
Meaning
Dispute a claim; disagree about which of two has it.
Grammatical category: verb.
Use in the book
Menexenus answers “we dispute it” when Socrates asks which boy is older. The present ἀμφισβητοῦμεν presents the disagreement as a familiar feature of their relationship. Socrates extends the teasing comparison to noble birth and beauty.
The verb establishes playful rivalry within an acknowledged friendship; it does not imply that the two are enemies. It also prepares for Menexenus’ later reputation as argumentative, although the immediate question concerns comparative status and age rather than a developed philosophical thesis.
Places to read
- 207cἈμφισβητοῦμεν — We dispute it.