Quick Definition
παρακύπτω v. I stoop, peer in, look down
Strong's Definition
from 3844 and 2955; to bend beside, i.e. lean over (so as to peer within)
KJV Usage: look (into), stoop down
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
verb | κύπτω
17.31 · Stances and Events Related to Stances · Bend Over, Straighten Up
to bend over, to stoop down to bend over or stoop down, with the implication of looking into something
24.13 · Sensory Events and States · See
to stoop and look into to look into something by stooping down
1 In παρακύπτω[a] there appear to be two coordinate semantic elements: ‘to stoop down’ and ‘to look into.’ It is possible, of course, to understand the second element as implying the purpose for the first, but in translation it is essential that both elements, especially in the context of JHN 20:11, be adequately noted. The fact that there are two significant elements of meaning in παρακύπτω[a] means that this term is essentially a member of two different domains at the same time, namely, Domain 17 dealing with Stances and Domain 24 Sensory Events and States. 2 Since παρακύπτω, particularly in the context of JHN 20:11, involves two quite distinct semantic features, namely ‘to stoop down’ and ‘to look into,’ it may be classified either as a particular stance (17.31) with the added element of seeing, or one may classify παρακύπτω as here, in the sensory subdomain of ‘seeing,’ with an adjunct feature of ‘stooping down.’ See also 17.31 and footnote.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
παρα-κύπτω: 1 Δ0Υ. παρέκυψα; to stoop to (ef. παρά, IV. 1] @ thing in order to look at it; to look at with head bowed forwards ; to look into with the body bent; to stoop and look into: Lk. xxiv. 12 [T om. L Tr br. WH reject the vs.]; Jn. xx. 53 εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, Jn. xx. 11; metaph. to look carefully into, inspect curiously, ets τι, of one who would become acquainted with something, Jas. i. 25; 1 Pet. i. 12. (Arstph., Theocr., Philo, Dio Cass., Plut., al. ; Sept.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
παρακύπτω parakyptō 5x
to stoop beside; to stoop down in order to take a view, Lk. 24:12; Jn. 20:5, 11; to bestow a close and attentive look, to look intently, to penetrate, Jas. 1:25; 1 Pet. 1:12*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
παρα-κύπτω,
[in LXX chiefly for שׁקף ni., hi.;]
to stoop sideways.
to stoop to look: Lk 24:12 (R, txt.), Jo 20:5, 11. Metaph. (v. Hort, Ja., in l.), to look into: seq. εἰς, Ja 1:25, I Pe 1:12.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
παρακύπτω. In accordance with its derivation this verb suggests primarily looking at something not immediately in the line of vision, which may be seen e.g. by stretching or stooping, and, ‘“‘ when used figuratively, it commonly implies a rapid and cursory glance, never the contrary’ (Hort ad 1 Pet 117; see also his note on Jas 17°), An instructive ex. is P Oxy III. 47525 (aA.p. 182) where a slave, anxious to catch a glimpse of castanet-players in the court below, is described as—Bovdnfels ἀπὸ τοῦ δώματος τῆς αὐτῆς οἰκίας παρακύψαι : cf. Jn 201, Ev. Petr. 11. The verb is also found in P Lips I. 2910 (a will—a.p. 295) μηδὲ παρακ[ὑ]πίτ]ειν ᾧτινιοῦν πράγματ]. δια[φ]έρον[τ] por. TLapakiarw is discussed by Field ores pp. So f., 235f., and Abbott Jo. Voc. p. 300 ff. Ὑπερκύπτω occurs in Sy// 802 (= #1168) 9 (c. B.C. 320) ὑπερέκυπτε εἰς τὸ ἄβατον. See also s.vz. κύπτω, ἀνακύπτω, κατακύπτω, and Epict. i. 1. 16 (cited by Sharp Zfict. p. 75)-
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
παρακύπτω (parakuptō) — to stoop. παρα-κύπτω, poetry παρκύπτω, stoop sideways, of the attitude of a bad harp-player, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; lean over a railing, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
II. stoop for the purpose of looking, and so,
II.1. look sideways at, cast a careless glance on a thing, παρακύψαντ᾽ ἐπὶ τὸν τῆς πόλεως πόλεμον [Refs 4th c.BC+]
II.2. peep out of a door or window, ἐκ θυρίδος [Refs 5th c.BC+]; of girls peeping after a lover, [LXX+3rd c.BC+]; π. τὸν ἐραστὴν ἰδεῖν so as to see him, [Refs 1st c.AD+] a hope of safety peeped out, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ὀδόντων παρακυψάντων, of the first teeth, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]: followed by an interrogative clause, peep out and see, π. τίς ἄνεμος πνεῖ [Refs 2nd c.AD+] — passive, θυρίδες παρακυπτόμεναι probably out of which people look, [LXX]
II.3. of persons outside a place, peep in, look in, εἰς οἰκίαν[LXX+NT]; παρακύψας βλέπει[NT+2nd c.AD+]; of a thing, appear in, ἐς ἀρχόν [Refs 5th c.BC+]
II.4. meddle with, πράγματι [Refs 3rd c.AD+]