πηλός

A. clay, earth, used by masons and potters, Hdt. 2.36, 136, Ar. Av. 1143, Th. 2.76, Pl. Tht. 147a, Plb. 15.35.2; πηλὸν ὀργάζειν Eup. 248, S. Fr. 482, cf. 510, 787, Ar. Av. 839; π. ἠχυρωμένος clay mixed with chaff for use as mortar, IG 22.463.42, cf. 5(1)l.c., LXX Ge. 11.3; εὐώδεϊ πηλῷ, of earth on which wine has been poured, Tryph. 349; Βρομιώδεα π. φύρησαν . . Χάριτες, of a drinkingcup, AP 11.27 (Maced.): metaph., clay from which man was made: hence ὁ π. ὁ Προμηθεῖος, of man, Call. Fr. 87, cf. 133, Ar. Av. 686; ἐκ ποίου πηλοῦ πεφύρητ’ εἰδότα Herod. 2.29.

2. mud, mire, Hdt. 2.5, 4.28, Ar. V. 248, Th. 2.4, Pl. R. 363d, etc.: prov., ἔξω κομίζειν πηλοῦ πόδα A. Ch. 697; κάσις πηλοῦ ξύνουρος, i. e. dust, Id. Ag. 495: metaph., ἀνέρες ὧν τὸ κέαρ παλῶ σέσακται Cerc. l.c.

II. Poet., thick or muddy wine, lees, S. Fr. 783; of wine spilt on the floor, Plu. 2.463a, Charito 1.3; cf. Πηλεύς fin.

III. metaph., dolt, blockhead, Com. Adesp. 890.