κάμπτω lengthd. from Root ΚΑΜΠ, v. καμπή
I.to bend, curve, ὄφρα ἰτὺν κάμψηι that he may bend it into a chariot-rail, Il.; γόνυ κ. to bend the knee so as to sit down and rest, id=Il.; οὐ κάμπτων γόνυ, i. e. never resting, Aesch.; so, κ. κῶλα Soph.; then, κάμπτειν alone, to sit down, rest, id=Soph.;—also, γόνυ κ. to bend the knee in worship, NTest.
II.to turn or guide a horse or chariot round the turning-post (καμπή II); hence, of the horse or chariot, κάμψαι διαύλου θάτερον κῶλον πάλιν to double the post (καμπτήρ) and return along the second half of the δίαυλος, Aesch.; κάμπτοντος ἵππου as the horse was turning, Soph.:—metaph., κ. βίον to make the last turn in the course of life, id=Soph.; κ. βίου τέλος Eur.
2.so also of seamen, to double a headland, ἄκρην κ. Hdt.; also, κ. περὶ ἄκραν Ar.; κ. κόλπον to wind round the bay, Hdt.