Dictionary entry

βάσανος

G. Abbott-Smith's A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament

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.†