Lexical Definition

‎πυγμή‎ pygmḗ (poog-may') fist ^G:N-F
from a primary (the fist as a weapon)

oft.

• the clenched hand, i.e. (only in dative case as adverb) with the fist (hard scrubbing)

Abbott-Smith

πυγμή, -ῆς, ἡ, [in LXX: Ex 21:18, Is 58:4 (אֶגְרוֹף)*;]
the fist: πυγμῇ νίψασθαι τ. χεῖρας (T, πυκνά; Vg., Goth., Copt., crebro), to wash the hands with the fist (diligently, R, txt.; up to the elbow, R, mg.; the exact meaning is doubtful; v. Swete, in l.): Mk 7:3.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

πυγμή-ή, ἡ,

(πύξ) fist, [πυγμήῇ πατάξαι LXX.Exod.21.18, cf. LXX.Isa.58.4. ">LXX+5th c.BC+]

__2 boxing, as an athletic contest, πυγμήῇ νικήσαντα [πυγμήὴν νικᾶν 5th c.BC: Euripides Tragicus “Alcestis” 1031; ἄνδρας πυγμήὰν ἐνίκα Ὀλύμπια “Anthologia Graeca” 6.256 (Antip.); πυγμήᾶς ἄποινα 5th c.BC: Pindarus Lyricus “O.” 7.16, compare 10(11).67 ">Refs 8th c.BC+]; πυγμήὴν or τὴν π. ἀσκεῖν, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; frequently in Inscrr., e.g. πυγμήὴν Ζωΐλος (i.e. ἐνίκησε) [Refs]
__2.b generally, fight, π. μονομάχων καὶ θηρίων Edict.Caes. cited in [Refs 1st c.AD+]; εἰς π. καθίστασθαι, τρέπεσθαι, of partridges, [Refs]
__3 in [πυγμήῇ νίψασθαι">NT] is interpretation diligently (variant{πυκνά}, often).
__II a measure of length, the distance from the elbow to the knuckles,= [Refs 4th c.BC+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: LXX.Exod.21.18 ☩ LXX.Isa.58.4 ☩ Mark.7.3}