ἄλσος,εος,τό,
A. grove,
Il. 20.8 , Od. 10.350 : pl., Phanocl. 1.3 , Theoc. 1.117 , etc.
II. esp.sacred grove,
Od. 6.291 , Hes. Sc. 99 , Hdt. 5.119 , Pl. Lg. 761c , etc.:—hence,any hallowed precinct,even without trees, Il. 2.506 , Sch. Pi. O. 3.31 , cf. B. 3.19 , S. Ant. 844 ;Μαραθώνιον ἄ.,of the field of battle, viewed as a holy place, A. Eleg. 4 : metaph.,πόντιον ἄ.the ocean-plain,
B. 16.85 , A. Pers. 111 . (Perh. forἄλτ-ιος(cf.Ἄλτις), i.e.alq-ios,cf. Goth.alhs'temple'.)