Quick Definition
νεύω v. I nod, make a sign
Strong's Definition
apparently a primary verb; to "nod", i.e. (by analogy), signal
KJV Usage: beckon
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
verb | διανεύω · ἐκνεύω · ἐννεύω · ἐπινεύω · κατανεύω
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.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
νεύω neuō 2x
to nod; to intimate by a nod or significant gesture, Jn. 13:24; Acts 24:10*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
νεύω,
[in LXX: Pr 4:5 21:1*;]
to nod or beckon, as a sign : c. dat. pers. et inf., Jo 13:24, Ac 24:10 (cf. δια-, ἐκ-, ἐν-, ἐπι-, κατα-νεύω).†
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
νεύω (neuō) — to motion. νεύω, [Refs 8th c.BC+]: future νεύσω [Refs 8th c.BC+]aorist ἔνευσα, Epic dialect νεῦσα (see. below): perfect νένευκα [Refs 5th c.BC+]:—incline in any direction:
1. nod, beckon, as a sign, νεύσω μέν τοι ἐγὼ κεφαλῇ [Refs 8th c.BC+]; beckon with the hand, δεξιᾷ δέ μοι ἔνευσε [Refs 2nd c.BC+]: with infinitive, beckon to one to do a thing, in token of command, νεανίαις ἔνευσε παρθένον λαβεῖν [Refs 5th c.BC+]
2. nod or bow in token of assent, ἐπὶ γλεφάροις ν. [Refs 5th c.BC+]; νεῦσον, Κρονίων [Refs 5th c.BC+]: with accusative et infinitive, grant, assure, promise that.., νεῦσε δέ οἱ λαὸν σόον ἔμμεναι [Refs 8th c.BC+]: with infinitive future, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: with infinitive aorist, [Refs 1st c.BC+]: with accusative of things, grant, promise, νεῦσε δέ οἱ κούρην [Refs 5th c.BC+]
3. generally, nod, bend forward, of warriors, [Refs 8th c.BC+]stoop, [Refs 8th c.BC+]
4. incline, slope, ν. ἀπό τινος εἴς τι incline to wards, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; εἰς τὸ αὐτὸ ν. tend to the same point, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; πρὸς τὸ λυπῆσαν, πρὸς τοῖς ῥήμασιν, [Refs 3rd c.AD+]; of countries, etc., slope, ν. εἰς δύσεις, πρὸς τὸ πέλαγος, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; of buildings, etc., look, face, εἰς νότον, etc., [Refs 4th c.AD+]; μηδαμοῦ ν. to be in equilibrium, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]: Geometry texts, of straight lines, verge, tend to a point (i. e. to pass through it when produced), [Refs 4th c.BC+]: metaphorically, to be inclined, ἄλλως ν. [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; ν. εἰς ὀργάν, εἰς ἔλεον, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]
II. metaphorically, decline, fall away, ἐκ.. τῶν ποτε λαμπρῶν νεύει βίοτος, νεύει δὲ τύχα [Refs 5th c.BC+]: in Neo-Platonic philosophy, decline, sink in the scale of Being, [Refs 3rd c.AD+]
III. νεύει· ἐπανέρχεται ἢ μᾶλλον φεύγει, [Refs 5th c.AD+]
IV. passive, only perfect participle νενευμένος inclined, Teucerin [Refs]. (Cf. Sanskrit návate 'turn round', Latin nuo.)