μέν
I. Particle, used to shew that the word or clause with which it stands answers to a following word or clause, which is introduced by δέ. Generally, μέν and δέ may be rendered "on the one hand, on the other hand", or "as well.., as, while or whereas", but it is often necessary to leave μέν untranslated.
2. μέν is not always answered by δέ, but by other equiv. Particles, as ἀλλά, ἀτάρ or αὐτάρ, αὖ, αὖθις, αὖτε; also πρῶτον μέν, εἶτα Soph.; πρῶτον μέν, ἔπειτα id=Soph.; πρῶτον μέν, μετὰ τοῦτο Xen.
3. the answering clause with δέ is sometimes left to be supplied, ὡς μὲν λέγουσι as "indeed" they say, "(but" as I believe not), Eur.; this isolated μέν is often a Pron., ἐγὼ μὲν οὐκ οἶδα I "for my part", (whatever others may say), Xen.; οὗτος μέν Plat.
4. μέν was orig. the same as μήν, and like it is used in protestations, καί μοι ὄμοσσον, ἦ μέν μοι ἀρήξειν and swear to me, that "surely" thou wilt assist me, Il.
II. μέν before other Particles: μὲν ἄρα, μέν ῥα "accordingly, and so", Hom., etc.
2. μέν γε, used much like γοῦν, "at all events, at any rate", Ar., etc.
3. μὲν δή to express certainty, Soph., etc.
4. μὲν οὖν or μενοῦν, a strengthd. form of οὖν, "so then", id=Soph.; in replies, it affirms strongly, πάνυ μὲν οὖν Plat., etc.; also it corrects a statement, "nay rather", like Lat. imo, imo vero, μου πρὸς τὴν κεφαλὴν ἀποψῶ wipe your nose on my head, Answ. ἐμοῦ μὲν οὖν.., "nay" on mine, Ar., etc.; μὲν οὖν δή Soph.:—so in NTest., μενοῦνγε, to "begin" a sentence, "yea rather", Lat. quin imo.
5. μέν τοι or μέντοι,
a. conjunctive, "yet, but however, nevertheless, tamen, vero", Aesch., etc.
b. Adverbial, "of course, certainly", Plat., etc.; with an imperat., to enforce the command, τουτὶ μέντοι σὺ φυλάττου "only" take heed.., Ar.; strengthd. μέντοι γε Xen.:—in narrative, etc., to add something, καὶ φυλάξασθαι μέντοι.., and "of course" to take care.., id=Xen.