Quick Definition
πυγμή, ῆς, ἡ n.f. the fist
Strong's Definition
from a primary pux (the fist as a weapon); the clenched hand, i.e. (only in dative case as adverb) with the fist (hard scrubbing)
KJV Usage: oft
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
noun, f. | -ῆς
8.35 · Body, Body Parts, and Body Products · Parts of the Body
fist the clenched hand In the NT πυγμή occurs only in this very problematic expression in MRK 7:3. Some manuscripts omit πυγμῇ, while others read πυκνά ‘often.’ A number of translators have attempted to solve the interpretative problem in MRK 7:3 by translating ‘unless they wash in the proper manner’ or ‘... thoroughly.’
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
πυγμή, -ῆς, ἡ, (πύξ, fr. TIYKQ, Lat. pungo, pupugi, [pugnus; O. H. G. ‘fist’, Eng. ‘fist’; cf. Curtius § 384]), fr. Hom. down, Sept. for 9in3% (Ex. xxi. 18; Is. lviii. 4), the fist: πυγμῇ νίπτεσθαι τὰς χεῖρας, to wash the hands with the fist, i. e. so that one hand is rubbed with the clenched fist of the other [R. V. mrg. (after Theoph., al.) up to the elbow; but ef. Edersheim, Jesus the Mes siah, ii. 11], Mk. vii. 3 (where Tdf. πυκνά, see πυκνός). (Cf. Jas. Morison, Com. ad loc.]
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
πυγμή pygmē 1x
together with the forearm, or, with care, carefully, Mk. 7:3*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
πυγμή, -ῆς, ἡ,
[in LXX: Ex 21:18, Is 58:4 (אֶגְרוֹף)*;]
the fist: πυγμῇ νίψασθαι τ. χεῖρας (T, πυκνά; Vg., Goth., Copt., crebro), to wash the hands with the fist (diligently, R, txt.; up to the elbow, R, mg.; the exact meaning is doubtful; v. Swete, in l.): Mk 7:3.†
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
πυγμή (pugmē) — fist. πυγμ-ή, ἡ, (πύξ) fist, [LXX+5th c.BC+]
2. boxing, as an athletic contest, πυγμῇ νικήσαντα [Refs 8th c.BC+]; πυγμὴν or τὴν π. ἀσκεῖν, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; frequently in Inscrr., e.g. πυγμὴν Ζωΐλος (i.e. ἐνίκησε) [Refs]
2. b generally, fight, π. μονομάχων καὶ θηρίων Edict.Caes. cited in [Refs 1st c.AD+]; εἰς π. καθίστασθαι, τρέπεσθαι, of partridges, [Refs]
3. in [NT] is interpretation diligently (variant{πυκνά}, often).
II. a measure of length, the distance from the elbow to the knuckles,= [Refs 4th c.BC+]