στέφανος, -ου, ὁ

(στέφω, to encircle), [in LXX chiefly for עֲטָרָה ;]

__1. that which surrounds or encompasses (as a wall, a crowd: Hom. al.).

__2. a crown, i.e. the wreath, garland or chaplet given as a prize for victory, as a festal ornament, or as a public honour for disting­uished service or personal worth (so to sovereigns, especially on the occasion of a παρουσία, which see; cf. Deiss. LAE, 372 ff.; on its use in LXX for the golden crown of royalty (prop. διάδημα, which see, cf. Hort and Mayor on Jas.1:12): Mat.27:29, Mrk.15:17, Jhn.19:2, 5, 1Co.9:25, Rev.4:4, 10 6:2 9:7 12:1 14:14. Metaphorical: Php.4:1, Rev.3:11; τ. δικαιοσύνης (cf. Deiss. LAE, 312), 2Ti.4:8; τ. δόξης, 1Pe.5:4; καυχήσεως, 1Th.2:19 (see M, Th. in l); τ. ζωῆς (genitive appos.), Jas.1:12, Rev.2:10.†

(AS)

that which surrounds or encompasses; a crown