Quick Definition
one who tortures, a tormentor, jailor
Strong's Definition
a torturer
Derivation: from G928 (βασανίζω);
KJV Usage: tormentor
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
βασανιστής, βασανιστου, ὁ (βασανίζω), one who elicits the truth by the use of the rack, an inquisitor, torturer, ((Antiphon, others); Demosthenes, p. 978, 11; Philo in Flacc. § 11 end; (de concupisc. § 1; quod omn. prob. book 16; Plutarch, an vitios. ad infel. suff. § 2)); used in Mat_18:34 of a jailer (δεσμοφύλαξ Act_16:23), doubtless because the business of torturing was also assigned to him.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
βασανιστής basanistēs 1x
pr. an inquisitor, tormentor; in NT a keeper of a prison, jailer, Mat_18:34
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
* βασανιστής , -οῦ , ὁ
( < βασανίζω ), prop .,
a torturer; used of a gaoler, Mat_18:34 .†
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
βασανιστής [Etym: βασανίζω] "questioner, torturer, tormentor", Dem. , NTest.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
βασανιστής, -οῦ, ὁ (βασανίζω),
prop., a torturer; used of a gaoler, Mat.18:34.†
(AS)