1. the hollow bottom or stand of a cup , Lat. fundus, (Iliad by Homer), etc. 2. of the sea, the bottom, depth , (Hesiod), etc. 3. the bottom or foundation of a thing, in plural, χθόνα ἐκ πυθμένων κραδαίνειν (Aeschulus Tragicus); ἐκ π. ἔκλινε κλῇθρα (Sophocles Tragicus); δίκας π. the anvil-stand on which is forged the sword of retribution, (Sophocles Tragicus) 4. the bottom, stock, root of a tree , (Odyssey by Homer):—;metaphorically the stem or stock of a family, (Aeschulus Tragicus); σμικροῦ γένοιτ᾽ ἂν σπέρματος π. μέγας, i. e. great things might come from small, (Aeschulus Tragicus) (ML)