Lexical Definition

‎πρεσβεύω‎ presbeúō (pres-byoo'-o) be ambassador ^G:V
from the base of ‎πρεσβύτερος‎

be an ambassador.

• to be a senior, i.e. (by implication) act as a representative (figuratively, preacher)

Abbott-Smith

* πρεσβεύω (< πρέσβυς),
1. to be the elder, to take precedence.
2. to be an ambassador (v.s. πρεσβύτης): II Co 5:20, Eph 6:20.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

πρεσβεύω-εύω,

perfect πεπρέσβευκα [Refs 5th c.BC+]:—middle, aorist ἐπρεσβεύωευσάμην [Refs 5th c.BC+] —passive, perfect πεπρέσβευμαι (see. below):

__I properly of age,
__I.1 intransitive, to be the elder or eldest, [πρεσβεύωεύοντες 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Leges” 951e ">Refs 5th c.BC+]: with genitive person, to be older than, be the eldest of a number, τῶν προτέρων ἐπρέσβευε [Refs 5th c.BC+]; π. ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ to be his eldest son, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; of wine, πολλαῖς π. ἐτέων.. ὥραις [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__I.1.b take the first place, be best, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; οἷσι πρεσβεύωεύει γένος, of the male sex, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__I.1.c with genitive, rank before, take precedence of others, π. τῶν πολλῶν πόλεων [Refs 5th c.BC+]: hence, rule over, Ολύμπου π. [πρεσβεύωεύων Ἄργους γύαις [prev. author] “fragment” 270 (\_anapaest meter\_)">Refs 5th c.BC+]; also, have at one's command or disposal, with genitive, καὶ εἰ (καὶ σὺ Kaibel) τῶν λόγων αὐτοῦ πρεσβεύωεύεις [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__I.2 transitive, place as oldest or first, put first in rank, πρῶτον.. πρεσβεύωεύω θεῶν Γαῖαν [Refs 4th c.BC+]: hence, pay special honour or worship to, πρῶτον τόνδε πρεσβεύωεύσω τάφον [Refs 5th c.BC+]:—passive, hold the first place, Παλλὰς.. ἐν λόγοις π. [Refs 4th c.BC+]; ὁ δ᾽ ὕστατός γε τοῦ χρόνου π. is first in point of time, [πρεσβεύωεύεται τὸ Αήμνιον">Refs] is most notable of mischiefs, [Refs]; τὸ πρεσβεύωύτερον τοῦ νεωτέρου ἐστὶ πρεσβεύωευόμενον is more honoured than.., [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__I.2.b later, cultivate arts, etc., διαλεκτικόν, τὸ.. τοὺς λόγους πρεσβεύωεῦον [Refs 2nd c.AD+] Praef.; πόλις ὄρχησιν μάλιστα πρεσβεύωεύουσα [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__II to be an ambassador or serve as one, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; παρά or πρός τινα, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τινος for one, [πρεσβεύωείας 4th-3rd c.BC: Dinarchus Orator 1.16. ">Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II.b at Rome, act as legatus, [Refs 1st c.AD+]
__II.2 with accusative objecti, π. εἰρήνην negotiate peace, [Refs 5th c.BC+] — passive, τὰ αὑτῷ πεπρεσβεύωευμένα his negotiations, [πρεσβεύωεῦσθαι [prev. work]240. ">Refs]
__II.3 middle, send ambassadors, ἐς χωρία, ἐς τὴν Θουρίαν, [πρεσβεύωεύεσθαι παρά τινας [prev. author] 4.41, etc.; πρός τινας [prev. author] 1.126; ἐς Αακεδαίμονα περὶ καθόδου [prev. author] 3.85. ">Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II.3.b go as ambassador, [Refs]
__III with accusative of things, represent, urge, maintain, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; [δόγματα] [Refs 2nd c.AD+]infinitive, κατὰ ἐκπομπὴν εἶναι τὴν ὄψιν[Refs]