ἅπτω
Etym. v. ἑάφθη for ionic perf. pass.
Etym. Root ΑΠ and ΑΦ
I. "to fasten, bind fast", Od., Eur.: Mid. "to fasten for oneself", Od., Eur.
2. "to join", χορόν Aesch.; πάλην τινὶ ἅπτειν "to fasten" a contest in wrestling "on" one, engage with one, id=Aesch.
II. Mid. "to fasten oneself to, cling to, hang on by, lay hold of, grasp, touch", c. gen., ἅψασθαι γούνων, as a suppliant, Od.; so, ἅψ. γενείου id=Od.; ἅπτεσθαι νηῶν Il., etc.:—absol. "to reach the mark", id=Il.
2. "to engage in, take part in", c. gen., βουλευμάτων Soph.; πολέμου Thuc.; ἡμμένος φόνου "engaged in".., Plat.;—but, ἅπτεσθαι τῶν λόγων "to lay hold of, dispute" the argument of another, id=Plat.; τούτων ἥψατο "touched on" these points, Thuc.
3. "to set upon, attack, assail", Hdt., Aesch., etc.
4. "to touch, affect", ἄλγος οὐδὲν ἅπτεται νεκρῶν Aesch., etc.
5. "to grasp with the senses, apprehend, perceive", Soph., Plat.
6. "to come up to, reach, gain", Plat., Xen.
B. Act., also, "to kindle, set on fire", Hdt., Thuc.:— Pass., with fut. mid. "to be set on fire, catch fire", Od., Hdt.
2. ἅπτειν πῦρ "to light" a fire, Eur.:—Pass., ἄνθρακες ἡμμένοι "red-hot" embers, Thuc.