σπάω of a sword, to draw, Eur.;—mostly in Mid., Hom.:—Pass. to be drawn, Il.; ἐσπασμένοι τὰ ξίφη having their swords drawn, Xen. πάλον σπᾶν to draw a lot (out of a helmet), Aesch. absol., σπᾶτʼ ἀνδρείως pull, hoist away, like men. of violent actions, to pluck off or out, κόμην Soph. like σπαράσσω, to tear, rend, of beasts, Soph. to wrench, sprain:—Pass., τὸν μηρὸν σπασθῆναι Hdt. to snatch, tear or drag away, Eur. metaph. to carry away, draw aside, Soph., Plat. Pass. to be convulsed, Soph. to draw in, suck in, quaff, Aesch., Eur. to draw tight, pull the reins, Xen. of angling: hence, proverb., οὐκ ἔσπασεν ταύτηι γε he took nothing by his motion," Ar. to adopt, appropriate, Anth.