Quick Definition
dangerous, likely to fall
Strong's Definition
figuratively, insecure
Derivation: from a compound of G1909 (ἐπί) and (to trip);
KJV Usage: dangerous
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἐπισφαλής, ἐπιφαλες (σφάλλω to cause to fall), prone to fall: πλοῦς, a dangerous voyage, Act_27:9. (Plato, Polybius, Plutarch, others.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἐπισφαλής episphalēs 1x
on the verge of falling, unsteady; met. insecure, hazardous, dangerous, Act_27:9
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
** ἐπισφαλής , -ές
( < σφάλλω , to cause to full),
[in LXX : Wis_9:14 ( cf. -ῶς , Wis_4:4 ) * ;]
1. prone to fall ( Plat .).
2. dangerous ( Hipp ., Plut ., al. ): Act_27:9 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἐπισφαλής [page 247]
This adj., which is peculiar to Lk in the NT ( Act_27:9 : cf. Hobart, p. 201) appears ter in Menandrea , e.g. p. 14 .126 ὄντ᾽ ἐπισφαλῆ φύσει | τὸν βίον ἁπάντων τῆι προνοίαι δεῖ , πάτερ , τηρεῖν .
For the adv., as in Sap 4 .4 , cf. P Oxy I. 76 .20 (A.D. 179) νοσήσας ἐπισφαλῶς ἔχει , has fallen ill and is in a precarious condition (Edd.).
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
ἐπισφαλής ἐπι-σφα^λής, ές [Etym: σφάλλω] "prone to fall, unstable, precarious", Plat. , Dem. :—adv., ἐπισφαλῶς διακεῖσθαι to be in "danger", Plut.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ἐπισφαλής, -ές
(σφάλλω, to cause to full), [in LXX: Wis.9:14 (cf. -ῶς, Wis.4:4) * ;]
__1. prone to fall (Plat.).
__2. dangerous (Hipp., Plut., al.): Act.27:9.†
(AS)