Lexical Definition

‎ἀσκέω‎ askéō (as-keh'-o) to strive ^G:V
probably from the same as ‎σκεῦος‎

exercise.

• to elaborate, i.e. (figuratively) train (by implication, strive)

Abbott-Smith

** ἀσκέω, -ῶ, [in LXX: II Mac 15:4*;]
1. to adorn (poët.).
2. to practise, exercise (Hdt., Xen.).
3. to endeavour (Xen., al.): c. inf., Ac 24:16.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

ἀσκέω,

work raw materials, εἴρια, κέρα, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; work curiously, form by art, [κρητῆρα] Σιδόνες πολυδαίδαλοι εὖ ἤσκησαν[Refs 8th c.BC+]; πτύξασα καὶ ἀσκήσασα χιτῶνα having folded and smoothed it,[Refs 8th c.BC+]; χορὸν ἤσκησεν[Refs 5th c.BC+]: added in aorist participle to Verbs, [θρόνον] τεύξει ἀσκήσας elaborately, [Refs 8th c.BC+]

__2 of personal adornment, dress out, trick out, ἀ. τινὰ κόσμῳ[Refs 5th c.BC+]decks herself, [Refs 5th c.BC+] —frequently in passive, σκιεροῖς ἠσκημένα γυίοις furnished with.., [Refs 5th c.BC+]; of buildings, παστὰς ἠσκημένη στύλοισι[Refs 5th c.BC+]; σῶμα λόγοις ἠσκ. tricked out with words only, not real, [Refs 5th c.BC+] —middle, σῶμ᾽ ὅπλοις ἠσκήσατο adorned his own person, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__3 in [Refs 5th c.BC+], honour a divinity, do him reverence, δαίμον᾽ ἀσκήσω θεραπεύων[Refs]
__II practise, exercise, train, especially in Prose and Comedy texts, properly of athletic exercise,
__II.1 with accusative of person or thing, ἀ. τὸν υἱὸν τὸν ἐπιχώριον τρόπον[Refs 5th c.BC+]:—passive, σώματα εὖ ἠσκημένα[Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II.2 with accusative of the thing practised, ἀ. τέχνην, πεντάεθλον, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀ. παγκράτιον, στάδιον, etc., [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II.3 with infinitive, ἄσκει τοιαύτη μένειν practise, endeavour to remain such, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀ. γαστρὸς κρείττους εἶναι, τοὺς φίλους ἀγαθὰ ποιεῖν, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἤσκει ἐξομιλεῖν παντοδαποῖς he made a practice of associating.., [Refs]
__II.4 absolutely, practise, go into training, [Refs 5th c.BC+]those who practise gymnastics, [Refs 5th c.BC+]