χέρνιψ

A. χέρνιβος S. Fr. 1127.7, Ar. Lys. 1129, Lys. 6.52, D. 20.158; dat. χέρνιβι Ar. Av. 897 (lyr.), Th. 4.97; pl., freq. in Trag. (v. infr. 2); poet. dat. χερνίβεσσιν Simon. 44: (χείρ, νίζω):—water for washing the hands, before meals, Od. 1.136, 3.440, 4.52, etc.: esp. of holy water used before sacrifices, 3.445, Ar. Av. 850, Lys. 1129; ὕδωρ, ὃ ἦν ἄψαυστον σφίσι, πλὴν πρὸς τὰ ἱερὰ χέρνιβι χρῆσθαι Th. l.c., εἴργεσθαι χέρνιβος D. l.c.

2. freq. in pl. χέρνιβες, purifications with holy water, Simon. 45, E. Or. 1602 Ph. 662 (lyr.), etc.; χέρνιβας νέμειν allow the use of holy water, S. OT 240; κοινωνὸς χερνίβων a partaker therein, i.e. an inmate of the same house or companion at table, A. Ag. 1037; εἰς ἱέρ’ εἰσιόντα καὶ χερνίβων καὶ κανῶν ἁψόμενον D. 22.78, cf. E. IA 675, 1479 (lyr.), IT 58, 244, 335; προχύτας χέρνιβάς τ’ ἐνάρξεται Id. IA 955; used before entering the house after a funeral, Id. Alc. 100 (lyr., sg.).

3. rarely of libations to the dead, A. Ch. 129. (On the accent v. Hdn.Gr.1.246.)