Quick Definition
a gnawing worm
Strong's Definition
a grub, maggot or earth-worm
Derivation: of uncertain derivation;
KJV Usage: worm
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
σκώληξ, σκωληκος, ὁ (perhaps akin to σκολιός), a worm (Homer, Iliad 13, 654); specifically, that kind which preys upon dead bodies (Sir_10:11 Sir_19:3; 2Ma_9:9; Anthol. 7, 480, 3; 10, 78, 3): ὁ σκώληξ αὐτῶν οὐ τελευτᾷ, by a figure borrowed from Isa_66:24 (cf. Sir_7:17; Jdt_16:17), 'their punishment after death will never cease' (σκώληξ symbolizing perhaps the loathsomeness of the penalty), Mar_9:44; Mar_9:46,(T WH omit; Tr brackets these two verses),48.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
σκώληξ skōlēx 1x
a worm; met. gnawing anguish, Mar_9:48
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
σκώληξ , -ηκος , ὁ ,
[in LXX chiefly for H8438 and cogn . forms;]
a worm: of the kind which preys upon dead bodies, metaph ., of fut . punishment, Mar_9:48 ( LXX , Isa_66:24 ; cf. Sir_7:17 , Jdt_16:17 ).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
σκώληξ [page 580]
a worm (MGr σκουλήκι , σκωλήκι ), comes from the same root as σκέλος : the linking notion is the meaning bind, twist (Boisacq p. 882). For the metaph. use in Mar_9:48 LXX (cf. Sir_7:16 , Jdt_16:17 ) we may compare Apoc. Petr. 10 ἐπέκειντο δὲ αὐτοῖς σκώληκες ὥσπερ νεφέλαι σκότους . See also Teles p. 31 .3 κατορυχθέντα ὑπὸ σκωλήκων .
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
σκώληξ σκώληξ, ηκος, "a worm", Lat. lumbricus, Il. of "the grubs", of insects, Ar. , etc. [Etym: deriv. uncertain]
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
σκώληξ, -ηκος, ὁ
[in LXX chiefly for תּוֹלָע and cogn. forms ;]
a worm: of the kind which preys upon dead bodies, metaphorically, of fut. punishment, Mrk.9:48 (LXX, Isa.66:24; cf. Sir.7:17, Jdth.16:17).†
(AS)