insilia

• the treadle of a weaver's loom, Lucr. 5, 1353.

INSI´LIAfrom insilire, a part of the loom (only in Lucret. 5.1353). They were supposed to be the treadles, pressed by the weaver's foot; but the epithet levia, smooth or polished, does not suit these; and the insilia are more probably the heddles or leash-rods which open the warp. (Schneider, Index to Scriptores Rei Rusticae, s. v. Tela; Rich, s. v.; Munro, ad loc.)

As the word is not found elsewhere, its meaning can only be guessed (Munro: so also Blümner, Technol. 1.143 n.).