UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to make unclean, to defile, to profane

Semantic entry: 53.33

Semantic domains: Religious Activities

Subdomains: Defile, Unclean, Common

Definition: to cause something to become unclean, profane, or ritually unacceptable{N:001}

Notes: In a number of languages it is quite impossible to translate literally the concept of unclean, for physical cleanliness and ritual acceptability are completely unrelated. In some languages it is necessary to translate κοινόω[a] or βεβηλόω as to take away its holiness or to make something unacceptable to God. In many cultures one must express this concept as involving so-called negative taboo.

Sense 2: to call something common, to regard something as defiled

Semantic entry: 53.40

Semantic domains: Religious Activities

Subdomains: Defile, Unclean, Common

Definition: to call or to regard something as common or defiled