Lexical Definition

‎βάσανος‎ básanos (bas'-an-os) torment ^G:N-F
perhaps remotely from the same as ‎βάσις‎ (through the notion of going to the bottom)

torment.

• a touch-stone, i.e. (by analogy) torture

Abbott-Smith

βάσανος, -ου, ὁ (of Oriental origin), [in LXX chiefly for כְּלִמָּה אָשָׁם, and freq. in IV Mac ;]
1. prop., touchstone, a dark stone used in testing metals.
2. examination by torture.
3. torment, torture: Mt 4:24, Lk 15:23, 28.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

βάσανος-ος, ἡ,

touchstone, on which pure gold leaves a yellow streak, ἐς βάσανον δ᾽ ἐλθὼν παρατρίβομαι ὥστε μολύβδῳ χρυσός [Refs 6th c.BC+]

__II the use of this as a test, χρυσὸς ἐν β. πρέπει [Refs 5th c.BC+]: generally, test, trial of genuineness, οὐκ ἔστιν μείζων β. χρόνου [[Refs 5th c.BC+]; εἰς β. εἶ χερῶν wilt come to a trial of strength, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; [νόσου] ἔσχ᾽ ἐπὶ σοὶ βάσανον had experienced it in you, i. e. you had had it first, [Refs]; βάσανον ὑποκείσονται will be subjected to a test, of candidates, [Refs 3rd c.AD+]
__III inquiry by torture, ἐς πᾶσαν β. ἀπικνέεσθαι [Refs 5th c.BC+]; especially at Athens, used to extort evidence from slaves, εἰς β. δέχεσθαι [Refs 5th c.BC+]: in plural, confession upon torture, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__III.2 agony of battle, ἡ κατὰ τὸ ἔργον β. [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; tortures of disease, [NT+2nd c.AD+]; torments of hell,[NT]
__III.3 trespass-offering, [LXX]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: Matt.4.24 ☩ Luke.16.23 ☩ LXX.1Kgs.6.17}