A.one that watches, one that looks about or after things, “παρὰ δὲ σκοπὸν εἷσεν” Il.23.359; γυναικῶν δμῳάων ς. ἐσσι, of a housekeeper, Od. l.c.: in Pi., of gods and kings, c. gen. loci, guardian, protector, Ὀλύμπου ς. O.1.54; “Δάλου” 6.59; Μαγνήτων ς., of Peleus, N.5.27; “τὸν ὑψόθεν ς., φύλακα βροτῶν” A.Supp.381 (lyr.); also “σκοποὶ τῶν εἰρημένων” S.Ant. 215.
2. mostly, lookout-man, watcher, stationed in some high place (σκοπιά) to overlook a country, esp. in war, Il.2.792, Od.16.365, X.Cyr.3.2.1, 4.1.1, etc.; hence “Ἠέλιον . . θεῶν ς. ἠδὲ καὶ ἀνδρῶν” h.Cer.62: also, game-watcher, X.Cyr. 1.6.40.
3. spy, scout, Il.10.324, 526,561 (later κατάσκοπος)“ ς. καὶ κατοπτῆρας στρατοῦ ἔπεμψα” A.Th.36, cf. E.Tr.956; of a messenger who has been sent to learn tidings, S.OC35, cf. Ph.125; “σκοπός, ναῶν κατόπτας” E.Rh.557 (lyr.).
II. mark or object on which one fixes the eye, “σκοπὸν ἄλλον, ὃν οὔ πώ τις βάλεν ἀνήρ, εἴσομαι αἴ κε τύχωμι” Od.22.6; ἀπὸ σκοποῦ away from the mark, 11.344; ἀπὸ ς. εἰρηκέναι, εἰρῆσθαι, Pl.Tht.179c, X.Smp.2.10; “παρὰ σκοπόν” Pi.O.13.94; σκοπῷ ἐπέχειν τόξον to aim at it, ib.2.89; “σκοποῦ ἄντα τυχεῖν” Id.N.6.27; “ἔκυρσας ὥστε τοξότης . . σκοποῦ” A.Ag.628; “ὥστε τοξόται σκοποῦ, τοξεύετ᾽ ἀνδρὸς τοῦδε” S.Ant.1033; “ἄθλιον σκοπὸν ἐμοὶ ἀκοντίσας” Antipho 3.3.6; “ἐπὶ σκοπὸν βάλλειν” X.Cyr.1.6.29; “παραλλάξαι τοῦ ς. καὶ ἁμαρτεῖν” Pl.Tht. 194a; “ἀποτυγχάνω τοῦ σκοποῦ” Id.Lg.744a.
2. metaph., aim, end, object, “οὗτος . . δοκεῖ ὁ ς. εἶναι πρὸς ὃν βλέποντα δεῖ ζῆν” Id.Grg.507d; “τὴν ἡδονὴν ς. ὀρθὸν πᾶσι ζῴοις γεγονέναι” Id.Phlb.60a; “στοχάζεσθαι σκοποῦ” Id.R.519c; “ς. τυραννικὸς τὸ ἡδύ” Arist.Pol.1311a4, etc.; σκοπός . . nihil praebere 'his little game' is to make no allowance, Cic.Att. 15.29.2, cf. Arg. 11 Ar.Eq.
b. Medic., of healing, ἐπὶ τῷ πρώτῳ ς. by first intention (i.e. direct union), κατὰ δεύτερον ς. by second intention (i.e. granulation or scar tissue), Gal.1.387, cf. 10.162.
III. name of a dance, Eup.446.