Quick Definition
σκιρτάω v. I leap for joy
Strong's Definition
to jump, i.e. sympathetically move (as the quickening of a fetus)
Derivation: akin to (to skip);
KJV Usage: leap (for joy)
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
verb
15.243 · Linear Movement · Jump, Leap
to jump for joy, to leap for joy to leap or jump, as a possible expression of joy and happiness For a difference of semantic focus see 25.134).
In LUK 1:41 σκιρτάω may be regarded as an instance of figurative usage: ἐσκίρτησεν τὸ βρέφος ἐν τῇ κοιλίᾳ αὐτῆς ‘the baby leaped for joy in her womb.’
Though it may seem quite natural to speak of ‘leaping for joy,’ in some cultures this would not be a meaningful combination of words, for leaping might suggest anger, ritual exorcism (driving out demons), or preparation for war. It may, therefore, be necessary in some languages to translate ‘jump for joy’ merely as ‘be exceedingly glad.’ It may be particularly awkward to speak of a fetus jumping in the womb, for obviously it would simply be a rapid movement of the limbs and not actual change of location. Therefore, it may be better to translate in some instances ‘moved quickly to show joy’ or ‘... as a sign of happiness.’
25.134 · Attitudes and Emotions · Happy, Glad, Joyful
to be extremely joyful, to dance for joy (a figurative extension of meaning of σκιρτάω[a] ‘to jump for joy,’ 15.243) to be extremely happy, possibly implying in some contexts actually leaping or dancing for joy χάρητε ἐν ἐκείνω τῇ ἡμέρᾳ καὶ σκιρτήσατε ‘be glad when that happens and dance for joy’ LUK 6:23, but see also 15.243 for a different semantic focus. The phrase ‘for joy’ clearly expresses ‘reason,’ and therefore it may be useful to translate ‘dance for joy’ as ‘dance because I am so joyful’ or ‘... so happy.’
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
σκιρτάω, -@: 1 aor. ἐσκίρτησα; to leap: Lk. i. 41, 44: vi. 23. (Gen. xxv. 22; Ps. exiii. (exiv.) 4,6; Grk. writ fr. Hom. down.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
σκιρτάω skirtaō 3x
to leap, Lk. 1:41, 44; to leap, skip, bound for joy, Lk. 6:23*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
σκιρτάω, -ῶ
[in LXX: Ge 25:22 (רצץ hithpo.), Ps 113 (114):4, 6 (רקד), etc. ;]
to leap: Lk 1:41, 44 6:23.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
σκιρτάω, “leap,” ‘‘ bound,” is confined in the NT to Lk (141. 44, 633); ef. Karel 271° σκιρτῶ καὶ τέρπομαι, 74. 6498 (iii/A.pD.)— σκιρτῶσα γέγηθας ἄνθεσιν ἐν μαλακοῖσι κακῶν ἔκτοσθεν ἁπάντων. A new instance of the subst. σκίρτημα is found in the iv/a.p. Christian hymn, P Amh I. 219 Τὰ [δ] ἀ[νάπ]αυλα (2. ἀνάπαυμα ?) λυπο--υΣ- μένων, Ta δὲ σκιρτήματα [.., “Ὁ the rest of the sorrowful, O the dancing of the . .” (cf. ΖΑ ΤῚΣ ii. (1901), p. 73 ff.).
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
σκιρτάω (skirtaō) — to leap. σκιρτ-άω, Ionic dialect σκιρτ-έω [Refs 3rd c.AD+] — _frequentative verb_ of σκαίρω, spring, leap, bound, of young horses, αἱ δ᾽ ὅτε μὲν σκιρτῷεν ἐπὶ ζείδωρον ἄρουραν.., ἀλλ᾽ ὅτε δὴ σ. ἐπ᾽ εὐρέα νῶτα θαλάσσης [Refs 8th c.BC+]; of goats, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; of the Bacchae, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἅλλεσθαι καὶ σ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]: also of wind, σκιρτᾷ δ᾽ ἀνέμων πνεύματα πάντων [Refs 4th c.BC+]
2. metaphorically, to be skittish, unruly, [Refs 5th c.BC+]