ἀσκέω
I. "to work curiously, form by art, fashion", Hom.; ἀσκήσας "with skilful" art, id=Hom.
2. of adornment, "to dress out, trick out, decorate, adorn, deck", Hdt.: Pass., πέπλοισι Περσικοῖς ἠσκημένη Aesch.:—Mid., σῶμ᾽ ἠσκήσατο "adorned his own" person, Eur.
II. in Prose, "to practise, exercise, train", Lat. exercere, properly of athletic exercise:
1. of the person trained, Ar.; ἀσκεῖν τὸ σῶμα εἴς or πρός τι "for" an object or purpose, Xen., etc.
2. of the thing practised, ἀσκ. τέχνην Hdt.; metaph., ἀσκ. τὴν ἀλήθειαν id=Hdt.; κακότητα Aesch.; ἀσέβειαν Eur.
3. c. inf., ἄσκει τοιαύτη μένειν "endeavour" to remain such, Soph.; ἀσκ. ἀγαθὰ ποιεῖν "to make a practice" of doing good, Xen.
4. absol. "to practise, go into training", οἱ ἀσκοῦντες "those who practise gymnastics", id=Xen.