ΔΕΛΛΟΙ / DELLI : étymologies indo-européennes et nouvelles significations possibles d’un toponyme de Sicile

Abstract

The place name Δέλλοι refers to both little volcanic (and deified) lakes in Sicily, and is from Greek origin. Many Indo-European roots could be taken into account : so the root * dhel-, meaning either ‛yellow as the sand’, or ‛ hollow, deep’. But the root * gwelH meaning 'to throw, to strike, to cause to gush’ defines better the Δέλλοι ; their name has certain similarities to the Arcadian verb Ζέλλω (and Attic βάλλω). Thus the place name Δέλλοι should date from a Greek (Dorian) colonization within eastern Sicily.