λατρ-εία, ἡ,
the state of a hired labourer, service, [[ 4th-5th c.BC: Aeschylus Tragicus “Prometheus Vinctus” 966; ἐπίπονον ἔχειν λ. 5th c.BC: Sophocles Tragicus “Trachiniae” 830 (Lyric poetry): _plural_, οἵας λατρείας ἀνθ᾽ ὅσου ζήλου τρέφει [prev. author] “Aj.” 503, compare 5th c.BC: Euripides Tragicus “Phoenissae” 225 (Lyric poetry)] Refs 5th c.BC+], etc.: metaphorically, the business or duties of life, [[ 1st-2nd c.AD: Plutarchus Biographus et Philosophus 2.107c. ] Refs 1st c.AD+]
__2 λ. τοῦ θεοῦ, θεῶν, service to the gods, divine worship, [[ 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Apologia” 23c, “Phdr.” 244e (_plural_): _absolutely_, LXX.Exo.12.25, +others, NT.Rom.9.4, etc. ] NT+5th c.BC+]