ἄροτος

A. corn-field, οὔτ’ ἄρα ποίμνῃσιν καταΐσχεται οὔτ’ ἀρότοισιν Od. 9.122: metaph., Ἄρη τὸν ἀρότοις θερίζοντα βροτοὺς ἐν ἄλλοις A. Supp. 638 (lyr.).

2. crop, S. OT 270: metaph., seed, τέκνων ὃν ἔτεκες ἄροτον E. Med. 1281 (lyr.); ὅσον εὐσεβίᾳ κρατοῦμεν ἄδικον ἄροτον (cj. Barnes for ἄροτρον)ἀνδρῶν Id. Ion 1095.

3. tillage, ploughing, Hes. Op. 384,458; ζῆν ἀπ’ ἀρότου live by husbandry, Hdt. 4.46; ἄ. ἱερός ritual ploughing, ceremonial at Athens, Plu. 2.144a: pl., Ar. Ra. 1034.

4. metaph., procreation of children, ὁ ἄ. ὁ ἐν γυναικί Pl. Cra. 406b; παίδων ἐπ’ ἀρότῳ γνησίων, in Athen. marriage-contracts, Men. 720, cf. Pk. 436, Luc. Tim. 17; τέκνων ἀρότοισιν E. Hyps.Fr. 1iii 25.

II. season of tillage, seed-time, Hes. Op. 450, Thphr. HP 8.1.2, Arat. 267, etc.: hence, season, year, τὸν παρελθόντ’ ἄ. S. Tr. 69; δωδέκατος ἄ. ib.825 (lyr.).