From the book
Lysis
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordOkneō means hesitate, shrink from doing something.
- In LysisCtesippus accuses Hippothales of hesitating to tell Socrates his beloved’s name, although everyone else has heard it endlessly.
- Reading contextLysis’ hesitation coexists explicitly with desire to approach, and is resolved by the presence of his companion.
- A place to readThe Greek example means “he hesitated to approach alone.”
- English renderings
- Hesitate, shrink from doing something
Meaning
Hesitate, shrink from doing something.
Grammatical category: verb.
Use in the book
Ctesippus accuses Hippothales of hesitating to tell Socrates his beloved’s name, although everyone else has heard it endlessly. Later Lysis wants to approach the speakers but hesitates to come alone; Menexenus’ arrival makes it easy for him to join.
The verb thus marks two different social inhibitions. It need not imply refusal, settled cowardice, or lack of interest. Lysis’ hesitation coexists explicitly with desire to approach, and is resolved by the presence of his companion.