Quick Definition
a charge, accusation
Strong's Definition
a complaint ("category"), i.e. criminal charge
Derivation: from G2725 (κατήγορος);
KJV Usage: accusation (X -ed)
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
κατηγορία, κατηγοριας, ἡ (κατήγορος) (from Herodotus down), accusation, charge: with the genitive of the person accused, Luk_6:7 R G L Tr marginal reading; (Joh_18:29 T WH); κατά τίνος, Joh_18:29 (R G L Tr); 1Ti_5:19; with the genitive of the crime, Tit_1:6.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
κατηγορία katē goria 3 x
an accusation, crimination, Joh_18:29 ; 1Ti_5:19 ; Tit_1:6
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
* κατηγορία , -ας , ἡ
( < κατήγορος ),
an accusation, charge: c . gen . pers ., Joh_18:29 ; seq . κατά , c . id ., 1Ti_5:19 ; c . gen . rei , Tit_1:6 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
κατηγορία [page 337]
P Oxy II. 237 viii .7 (A.D. 186) τότ᾽ ἐὰν θαρρῇ τοῖς τῆς κατηγορίας ἐλέγχοις , τὸν μείζονα ἀγῶνα ε̣[ἰ ]σελεύσεται , if he has confidence in the proofs of his accusation, he shall enter upon the more serious law-suit (Edd.), Michel 458 .21 ( c. B.C. 165) πολλὰς καὶ ψευδεῖς κατηγορίας πο [ιησαμένων τινῶν .
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
κατηγορία κατηγορία, ἡ, "an accusation, charge", Hdt. , Thuc. , etc.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
κατηγορία, -ας, ἡ
(κατήγορος),
an accusation, charge: with genitive of person(s), Jhn.18:29; before κατά, with id., 1Ti.5:19; with genitive of thing(s), Tit.1:6.†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Accused, accusation (2724) kategoria
Accused (2724) (kategoria from verb kategoreo, to accuse -- click use <> in turn from kata = against + agora = the assembly, a place of public speaking) refers to a speaking against a person before a public tribunal or bringing an accusation in court.
Kategoria is used 3x in NT Jn. 18:29; 1Tim. 5:19; Titus 1:6
Kategoria was a legal technical term that refers to the content of the accusation or charge made against someone. However the use in this verse in Titus does not refer to judicial punishment, but public condemnation. In contrast in the first NT use, Pilate asked the Jews
"What accusation (kategoria) do you bring against this Man (Jesus)?" (Jn 18:29)
Paul (in the third and last use of kategoria in the NT) wrote to Timothy
"Do not receive an accusation (kategoria) against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses." (1Ti 5:9)
Paul is saying that this elder's children cannot be charged with profligate, loose or riotous living, thus expounding on how "children who believe" should behave.