Lexical Definition

‎ἀκολουθέω‎ akolouthéō (ak-ol-oo-theh'-o) to follow ^G:V
from ‎Α‎ (as a particle of union) and (a road)

follow, reach.

• properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. to accompany (specially, as a disciple)

Abbott-Smith

ἀκολουθέω, -ῶ (< ἀκόλουθος, following; < ἀ- cop., κέλευθος, poët., away), [in LXX chiefly for הָלַךְ;]
to accompany, follow: Mt 4:25, al. Metaph., of discipleship: Mt 9:9, Mk 9:38, Jo 12:26, al. Absol.: Mt 18:10; more freq., c. dat. (cl.), Mt 8:1, al.; seq. μετά, c. gen, (cl.; Eutherford, N.Phr., 458 f.), Lk 9:49; ὀπίσω, c. gen. (Heb. הָלַךְ אחֲֲרֵי), Mt 10:38 (cf. ἐξ-, ἐπ-, κατ-, παρ-, συν-ἀκολουθέω).
SYN.: (cl.) ἕπομαι, not in NT (v. Cremer, 80; MM, VGT, s.v.).

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

ἀκολουθέω-έω,

follow one, go after or with him, frequently of soldiers and slaves:—mostly with dative person, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀ. ἐφ᾽ ἁρπαγήν, of soldiers, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀκολουθέωῶν, ὁ, as substantive, ={ἀκόλουθος}[Refs 4th c.BC+]

__2 of stars, follow in the diurnal rotation, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__II metaphorically, follow, be guided by, τῇ γνώμῃ τινός[Refs 5th c.BC+]; τοῖς πράγμασιν, τοῖς τοῦ πολέμου καιροῖς, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; obey, τοῖς νόμοις[Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II.2 follow the thread of a discourse, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II.3 of things, follow upon, to be consequent upon, consistent with, εὐλογία.. εὐηθείᾳ ἀ.[Refs]; follow analogy of, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__II.3.b absolutely, to be consequent, ὡς γένους ὄντος τοῦ ἀεὶ ἀκολουθέωοῦντος[Refs]; as species to individual, [Refs]
__II.4 absolutely, ἀκολουθέωεῖ it follows, [Refs 6th c.BC+], elsewhere ; takes place of ἕπομαι in later Greek.