λέσχ-η, ἡ,
(probably from *λέχ-σκη, compare λέχος) originally couch: hence, funeral bier or tomb, [[ Inscriptiones Graecae 12(1).709 (from Camirus)] Refs]; then,
__2 lounging place, resort of idlers or beggars, οὐδ᾽ ἐθέλεις εὕδειν χαλκήϊον ἐς δόμον ἐλθὼν ἠέ που ἐς λέσχην [[ 8th c.BC: Odyssea Homerus Epicus “Odyssey” 18.329; πὰρ δ᾽ ἴθι χάλκειον θῶκον καὶ ἐπαλέα λέσχην 8th-7th c.BC: Hesiodus Epicus “Opera et Dies” 493, compare 501 ] Refs 8th c.BC+]; κατίζων ἐν ταῖς λ. τῶν γερόντων Ps.- [[ 5th c.BC: Herodotus Historicus “Vitae Homeri” 12. ] Refs 5th c.BC+]
__3 later, public building or hall, used as a lounge or meeting-place, especially at Sparta and in other Doric dialect cities, [[ 5th c.BC: Cratinus Comicus 164 (_plural_), compare 2nd c.AD: Pausanias Periegeta 3.14.2, 1st-2nd c.AD: Plutarchus Biographus et Philosophus “Lycurgus” 16, 24 (_plural_)] Refs 5th c.BC+]; also in Attica, [[ “IG” 12.888, 2.1055.23, Procl.ad 8th-7th c.BC: Hesiodus Epicus “Opera et Dies” 491 ] Refs 8th c.BC+]; at Delphi, hall adorned with paintings by Polygnotus, [[ 2nd c.AD: Lucianus Sophista “Im.” 7, 2nd c.AD: Pausanias Periegeta 10.25.1 ] Refs 2nd c.AD+]; at Cnidus, council-chamber, [[ 1st-2nd c.AD: Plutarchus Biographus et Philosophus 2.412d] Refs 1st c.AD+], compare 298d; of the council of the Olympian gods, Ζεὺς ἇς λέσχας ἀπηξιώσατο (i.e. τὰς Ἐρινῦς) [[ 4th-5th c.BC: Aeschylus Tragicus “Eumenides” 366 (Lyric poetry)] Refs 4th c.BC+]; also σύγκλητον τήνδε γερόντων λ. this specially summoned council, [[ 5th c.BC: Sophocles Tragicus “Antigone” 161 (_anapaest meter_). ] Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II talk or gossip, such as went on in the λέσχαι (compare λεσχηνεύω, etc.), μακραὶ λ. [[ 5th c.BC: Euripides Tragicus “Hippolytus” 384, compare “IA” 1001 (_plural_), 4th c.BC: Epicrates Comicus 11.32 (_plural_, _anapaest meter_), LXX.Pro.23.29 (_plural_), “Anthologia Graeca” 13.6 (3rd c.BC: Phalaecus Epigrammaticus)] LXX+5th c.BC+]; in bad sense, malicious gossip, scandal, Vett. Val.in [[ “Catalogus Codicum Astrologorum” 8(1).165 (_plural_)] Refs]; also in good sense, conversation, discussion, γενομένης λ., ὃς γένοιτο.. ἄριστος [[ 5th c.BC: Herodotus Historicus 9.71; ἐκ λόγων ἄλλων ἀπικέσθαι ἐς λ. περὶ τοῦ Νείλου [prev. author] 2.32 ] Refs 5th c.BC+]; λόγον εἴ τιν᾽ οἴσεις πρὸς ἐμὰν λ. if thou hast aught to discuss with me, [[ 5th c.BC: Sophocles Tragicus “Oedipus Coloneus” 167 (Lyric poetry); αἶσαν λέσχης οἶνος ἔχειν ἐθέλει 3rd c.BC: Callimachus Epicus “Aetia” 1.1.16; ἥλιον ἐν λέσχῃ κατεδύσαμεν [prev. author] “epigram” 2.3 ] Refs 5th c.BC+]; λύω λέσχας, 'cut the cackle', proverbial for breaking off discussion and setting to work in earnest, [[ 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Comicus 223. ] Refs 5th c.BC+]