* σταυρός, -οῦ, ὁ
1. an upright pale or stake (Hom., Hdt., Thuc., al.)
2. In late writers (Diod., Plut., al.) of the Roman instrument of crucifixion, the Cross: of the Cross on which Christ suffered, Mt 27:32, 40, 42, Mk 15:21, 30, 32, Lk 23:26, Jo 19:17, 19, 25, 31, Col 2:14, He 12:2; θάνατος σταυροῦ, Phl 2:8; τ. αἷμα τοῦ σ., Col 1:20. Metaph., in proverbial sayings: αἴρειν (λαμβάνειν, βαστάζειν) τὸν σ., Mt 10:3816:24, Mk 8:3410:21, 15:21, Lk 9:2314:27 (for an interesting ex. of metaph. use in π., v. MM, xxiii) By meton., for Christ's death on the Cross: I Co 1:17, Ga 5:11 6:12, 14, Eph 2:16, Phl 3:18; ὁ λόγος ὁ τοῦ σ., I Co 1:18.†