σταυρός

A. upright pale or stake, σταυροὺς ἐκτὸς ἔλασσε διαμπερὲς ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα πυκνοὺς καὶ θαμέας Od. 14.11, cf. Il. 24.453, Th. 4.90, X. An. 5.2.21; of piles driven in to serve as a foundation, Hdt. 5.16, Th. 7.25.

II. cross, as the instrument of crucifixion, D.S. 2.18, Ev.Matt. 27.40, Plu. 2.554a; ἐπὶ τὸν ς. ἀπάγεσθαι Luc. Peregr. 34; ς. λαμβάνειν, ἆραι, βαστάζειν, metaph. of voluntary suffering, Ev.Matt. 10.38, Ev.Luc. 9.23, 14.27: its form was represented by the Greek letter T, Luc. Jud.Voc. 12.

b. pale for impaling a corpse, Plu. Art. 17.