βάσανος
Etym. deriv. uncertain
I. "the touch-stone", Lat. lapis Lydius, a dark-coloured stone on which pure gold, when rubbed, leaves a peculiar mark, Theogn.: hence.
II. generally, "a test, trial whether a thing be genuine or real", Hdt., Soph.
III. "inquiry by torture, the "question, " torture", used to extort evidence from slaves, Oratt.
2. "torture of disease", NTest.