Quick Definition
I rub, tickle
Strong's Definition
to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to tickle
Derivation: from a primary (to scrape);
KJV Usage: X itching
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
κνήθω: present passive κνήθομαι; (from κνάω, infinitive κναν and Attic κνην); to scratch, tickle, make to itch; passive to itch: κνηθόμενοι τήν ἀκοήν (on the accusative cf. Winers Grammar, § 32, 5), i. e. desirous of hearing something pleasant (Hesychius, κνήθειν τήν ἀκοήν. ζητοῦντες τί ἀκοῦσαι, καθ' ἡδονήν), 2Ti_4:3. (Middle τόν ὄνον κνήθεσθαι εἰς τάς ἀκάνθας τά ἕλκη, its sores, Aristotle, h. a. 9, 1, p. 609a, 32; κνην Ἀττικοι, κνήθειν Ἕλληνες, Moeris, p. 234; (cf. Veitch, under the word κνάω).)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
κνήθω knēthō 1x
to scratch; to tickle, cause titillation; in NT mid. met. to procure pleasurable excitement for, to indulge an itching, 2Ti_4:3
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
* * κνήθω
(late form of κνάω ),
1. to scratch.
2. to tickle; pass ., to itch: 2Ti_4:3 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
κνήθω [page 349]
The use of this rare Hellenistic verb in 2Ti_4:3 is well illustrated by Clem. Al. Strom. I. iii. 22. 5 (p. 15, ed. Stδhlin) κνήθοντες καὶ γαργαλίζοντες οὐκ ἀνδρικῶς , ἐμοὶ δοκεῖν , τὰς ἀκοὰς τῶν κνήσασθαι γλιχομένων , scratching and tickling, in what I consider an unmanly way, the ears of those who wish to be tickled, with reference to the jargon of the Sophists. For a new literary reference see Herodas iv. 51 ἔσσετ᾽ ἡμέρη κείνη , | ἐν ᾗ τὸ βρέγμα τοῦτο τὠσυρὲς κνήσῃ , the day will come when you will scratch your dirty poll : cf. for the Attic κνάω ib. viii. 8 τόν ]θρυζε καὶ κνῶ , grumble and scratch your head.
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
κνήθω κνήθω, [Etym: κνάω] "to scratch, tickle":—Pass. "to itch", NTest. [Etym: later form of κνάω,]
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
κνήθω
(late form of κνάω),
__1. to scratch.
__2. to tickle; pass., to itch: 2Ti.4:3.†
(AS)