Quick Definition
κατανεύω v. I nod, make a sign
Strong's Definition
from 2596 and 3506; to nod down (towards), i.e. (by analogy) to make signs to
KJV Usage: beckon
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
verb | νεύω
33.485 · Communication · Non-Verbal Communication
to gesture, to motion, to nod, to beckon to signal to someone by means of part of the body, especially by means of the head or hands In a number of languages it is necessary to be quite specific with regard to types of gestures or motions of the head or hands and arms. For example, in JHN 13:24 there is an obvious question involved, and this may require in some languages a particular signal by means of the hands or face. The same would be true in the case of LUK 1:62. In LUK 1:22 the gesture would have to be something which would explain or indicate Zechariah’s inability to speak, while in LUK 5:7 quite another gesture would no doubt be called for, since the persons involved were at quite a distance from one another.
1 There are no doubt certain subtle differences of meaning between νεύω, ἐννεύω, διανεύω, and κατανεύω, but such distinctions are not evident from existing contexts.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
κατα-νεύω: 1 aor. κατένευσα; fr. Hom. down; to nod to, make a sign to: τινί, foll. by rod w. aor. inf., to indicate to another by a nod or sign what one wishes him to do [A. V. beckoned to... that they should come, etc.], Lk. Wander
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
κατανεύω kataneuō 1x
pr. to nod, signify assent by a nod; genr. to make signs, beckon, Lk. 5:7*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
* κατα-νεύω, to nod assent.
to make a sign by nodding the head: c. dat. pers., Lk 5:7.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
κατανεύω. See BGU IV. 1119*4 (B.c. 6-5), 1120°° (B.c. 5), where however the reading and the meaning are far from clear.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
κατανεύω (kataneuō) — to signal. κατανεύω, future -νεύσομαι [Refs 8th c.BC+]: aorist [Refs 8th c.BC+], etc.; Epic dialect participle [Refs 8th c.BC+]:—nod assent, [Refs 8th c.BC+] with accusative _of things_, grant, promise, [Refs 8th c.BC+]: later with dative, consent to, [Refs 1st c.BC+]: with future infinitive, [Refs 8th c.BC+]: later with aorist infinitive, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]: generally, make a signbynoddingthehead, [Refs 8th c.BC+].
II. bow down, εἰς γῆν variant in [Refs 2nd c.AD+]: perfect participle -νενευκώς downcast, [Refs]
III. Astron., tilt downward, of the pole, [Refs 8th c.BC+].]