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corvus

corvus, a raven

corvus, i, m. [root kar-, kal-, to sound; cf.: καλέω, κόραξ, etc.],
  • a raven, Plin. 10, 43, 60, § 121 sq.; acc. to the fable, orig. white, changed to a black bird in punishment for treachery, Ov. M. 2, 541 sq.; on account of its gift of prophecy (oscen, Hor. C. 3, 27, 11), consecrated to Apollo, Ov. M. 5, 329 (hence, Phoebeïus ales, id. ib. 2, 545: Delphicus ales, Petr. 122, 1, 177; cf. also Stat. Th. 3, 506); its flight to the right indicated good fortune, Plaut. As. 2, 1, 12 (260); Cic. Div. 1, 39, 85.—
    • B Prov.: in cruce corvos pascere, to be hanged, Hor. Ep. 1, 16, 48.—
  • II Meton., of bodies whose form or coloring is similar to that of the raven's bill.
    • A In form.
      • 1 A military implement, a grapnel, Curt. 4, 2, 12; 4, 3, 24 Mützell.—
      • 2 A battering-ram, Vitr. 10, 19.—
      • 3 A surgical instrument, in the form of a hook, Cels. 7, 19, § 33.—
      • 4 The constellation Corvus, Vitr. 9, 7; Hyg. Astr. 3, 39.—
    • B From its color, a sea-fish, Plin. 32, 11, 53, § 146; Cels. 2, 18; Aus. Ep. 4, 63.—
    • C In mal. part. = fellator, Juv. 2, 63; cf. Mart. 14, 74.

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