φυλακή, -ῆς, ἡ

(φυλάσσω) [in LXX chiefly for מִשְׁמֶרֶת and cogn. forms, also for כֶּלֶא etc. ;]

__(a) actively, a guarding, guard, watch (Hom. Plat. Xen. al.): cogn. accusative, φυλάσσειν φυλακάς, to keep watch, Luk.2:8;

__(b) of those who keep watch (as also Lat. custodia), a guard; pl. sentinels, a guard (Hom. al.): Act.12:10;

__(with) of the place where persons are kept under guard, a prison (Hdt. Thuc. al.): Mat.14:10, Mrk.6:17, Luk.3:20, Act.5:19, 2Co.6:5, 1Pe.3:19, Rev.18:2, al.;

__(d) of the time during which guard was kept by night (Lest. vigilia; Anthol.), a watch: Mat.14:25 24:43, Mrk.6:48, Luk.12:38

(AS)

a guarding, guard, watch; to keep watch; a guard; sentinels, a guard; a prison; a watch