Έστω

[Leon]

What are the meanings of 'έστω'? So far I've heard it means 'even if', 'let it be' and 'at least' (making it identical in meaning to 'ακόμα κι αν', 'ας είναι' and 'τουλάχιστον'); are these correct? Could you write a few sentences with its meanings in, please?

Thank you so much,
Leon.

[banned8]

έστω [an imperative form of the ancient verb ειμί]
1. (when used on its own) so be it, maybe so.
«Μα ήμουν κουρασμένος». «Έστω, αλλά να μην ξανασυμβεί».
2. at least.
Αν δεν τα προλαβαίνεις όλα, ετοίμασε έστω τα βασικά.
3. έστω ότι (in mathematical problems) let … be
Έστω ότι η γωνία ΑΒΓ ισούται με τη γωνία ΒΓΔ. Let the angle ABC be equal to the angle BCD.
4. έστω ότι let us suppose
Έστω ότι λες αλήθεια.
5. έστω και even; at least
Έλα έστω και για λίγο. Come, even (if it is) for a while.
Έστω και τώρα. Even this late.
Έστω κι ένας από σας θα μπορούσε να βοηθήσει. At least one of you could have helped. (True meaning: Even one of you would have been enough help.)
6. έστω κι αν even if.
Ελάτε, έστω κι αν αργήσετε.

I’m sure, Leon, you can provide the translations for the untranslated examples.

[Leon]

Thanks, Nick.

Is 'έστω' inter-changeable with 'ακόμα και (αν)'? I get the impression that in all cases 'έστω' is strictly reserved to formal use.

Leon.

[banned8]

έστω κι αν can be replaced by "ακόμα κι αν" in sense number 6 above, but not in any of the other senses.

Only sense number 3 may be described as formal. Otherwise, all other uses are in everyday use.

[Leon]

Ευχαριστώ πολύ, Νίκο.