σκεῦος

A. vessel or implement of any kind, in sg., Ar. Th. 402, Th. 4.128; in dual, σκεύη δύο χρησίμω Ar. Eq. 983, cf. Pl. R. 596b; and in pl., κλῖναι καὶ . . τἆλλα σκεύη ib.373a, al.:—but the pl. is freq. used in a collective sense, all that belongs to a complete outfit, house-gear, utensils, chattels, opp. live-stock and fixtures, Ar. Pax 1318, Lys. 19.31, etc.; ς. γεωργικά farming implements, Ar. Pax 552; ἱερὰ ς. sacred vessels and implements, Th. 2.13, cf. IG 12.313.20; a druggist's stores, Thphr. HP 9.17.3; ς. τὰ ἐπιτράπεζα table-furniture, Id. Lap. 42; military accoutrements, equipment, τὰ περὶ τὸ σῶμα ς. Th. 6.31; τὰ τῶν ἵππων ς. X. Cyr. 4.5.55; baggage of an army, and, generally, baggage, luggage, Ar. Ra. 12, 15, X. Mem. 3.13.6; ὄνοι αὐτοῖς σκεύεσι packs and all, Id. HG 5.4.17; tackle, gear of ships, naval stores, etc., IG 12.74.14, 22.1611.10, Pl. Criti. 117d, La. 183e, X. Oec. 8.11, Arist. Ath. 46.1; ς. τριηρικά D. 47.19; τὰ σκέα(= σκεύη)τοῦ πλοίου PSI 4.437.2 (iii B.C.) (so, collectively, in sg., Act.Ap. 27.17): various kinds of σκεύη catalogued by Pollux (10).

2. inanimate object, thing, opp. ζῷον, σῶμα, Pl. R. 601d, Grg. 506d; opp. ὄργανον, Democr. 159; Protagoras gave the name of σκεύη to neut. nouns, ἄρρενα καὶ θήλεα καὶ σκεύη Arist. Rh. 1407b8; ὑπηρετικὸν ς. a subordinate person, a mere tool or chattel, Plb. 13.5.7; ς. ἀγχίνουν καὶ πολυχρόνιον Id. 15.25.1: in NT, in good sense, ς. ἐκλογῆς a chosen instrument, of Paul, Act.Ap. 9.15.

II. τὸ ς. the body, as the vessel of the soul, a metaph. clearly expressed in 2 Ep.Cor. 4.7, ἔχομεν δὲ τὸν θησαυρὸν τοῦτον ἐν ὀστρακίνοις σκεύεσιν, cf. 1 Ep.Thess. 4.4, 1 Ep.Pet. 3.7.

III. = αἰδοῖον, APl. 4.243 (Antist.), Ael. NA 17.11.

IV. sarcophagus, Jahresh. 26 Beibl. 13 (Ephesus, ii A.D.).