Lexical Definition

‎σκοπός‎ skopós (skop-os') goal ^G:N-M
from (to peer about ("skeptic")

mark.

• perhaps akin to ‎σκάπτω‎ through the idea of concealment
• compare ‎σκέπασμα‎)
• a watch (sentry or scout), i.e. (by implication) a goal

Abbott-Smith

σκοπός, -οῦ, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for צֹפֶה ;]
1. a watcher, watchman (Ez 3:17, al.).
2. a mark on which to fix the eye (Wi 5:12, 21, al.). Metaph., of an aim or object: Phl 3:14.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

σκοπός-ός, ὁ

(also ἡ, [Refs 8th c.BC+]: (σκέπτομαι):— one that watches, one that looks about or after things, παρὰ δὲ σκοπόςὸν εἷσεν [Refs 8th c.BC+]; γυναικῶν δμῳάων σ. ἐσσι, of a housekeeper, [Refs 8th c.BC+], of gods and kings, with genitive loci, guardian, protector, Ὀλύμπου σ. [Refs]; Μαγνήτων σ., of Peleus, [σκοπόςοὶ τῶν εἰρημένων 5th c.BC: Sophocles Tragicus “Antigone” 215. ">Refs 5th c.BC+]

__b one who watches or looks out to take advantage, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; watchful, jealous master, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__2 mostly, lookout-man, watcher, stationed in some high place (σκοπόςιά) to overlook a country, especially in war, [Refs 8th c.BC+]: also, game-watcher, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__3 spy, scout, [σκοπόςος) σ. καὶ κατοπτῆρας στρατοῦ ἔπεμψα 4th-5th c.BC: Aeschylus Tragicus “Septem contra Thebas” 36, compare 5th c.BC: Euripides Tragicus “Troades” 956 ">Refs 8th c.BC+]; of a messenger who has been sent to learn tidings, [σκοπόςός, ναῶν κατόπτας 5th c.BC: Euripides Tragicus “Rhesus” 557 (Lyric poetry). ">Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II mark or object on which one fixes the eye, σκοπόςὸν ἄλλον, ὃν οὔ πώ τις βάλεν ἀνήρ, εἴσομαι αἴ κε τύχωμι [Refs 8th c.BC+]; ἀπὸ σκοπόςοῦ away from the mark, [Refs]; ἀπὸ σ. εἰρηκέναι, εἰρῆσθαι, [σκοπόςόν 5th c.BC: Pindarus Lyricus “O.” 13.94 ">Refs 5th c.BC+]; σκοπόςῷ ἐπέχειν τόξον to aim at it,[σκοπόςοῦ ἄντα τυχεῖν [prev. author] “N.” 6.27; ἔκυρσας ὥστε τοξότης.. σκοπόςοῦ 4th-5th c.BC: Aeschylus Tragicus “Agamemnon” 628; ὥστε τοξόται σκοπόςοῦ, τοξεύετ᾽ ἀνδρὸς τοῦδε 5th c.BC: Sophocles Tragicus “Antigone” 1033; ἄθλιον σκοπόςὸν ἐμοὶ ἀκοντίσας 5th c.BC: Antipho Orator 3.3.6; ἐπὶ σκοπόςὸν βάλλειν 5th-6th c.BC: Xenophon Historicus “Institutio Cyri (Cyropaedia)” 1.6.29; παραλλάξαι τοῦ σ. καὶ ἁμαρτεῖν 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Theaetetus” 194a; ἀποτυγχάνω τοῦ σκοπόςοῦ [prev. author] “Lg.” 744a. ">Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II.2 metaphorically, aim, end, object, οὗτος.. δοκεῖ ὁ σ. εἶναι πρὸς ὃν βλέποντα δεῖ ζῆν [σκοπόςοῦ [prev. author] “R.” 519c; σ. τυραννικὸς τὸ ἡδύ 4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “Politica” 1311a4, etc.">Refs 4th c.BC+]; σκοπόςός.. nihil praebere 'his little game' is to make no allowance, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II.2.b in Medicine texts, of healing, ἐπὶ τῷ πρώτῳ σ. by first intention (i.e. direct union), κατὰ δεύτερον σ. by second intention (i.e. granulation or scar tissue), [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__II.3 contest in shooting at a mark, σ. ἱππέων, πεζῶν, [Refs]
__III name of a dance, [Refs 5th c.BC+]