ăbăcus, i (according to Prisc. 752 P. also ăbax, ăcis; cf. id. p. 688), m.,=ἄβαξ, ᾰκος, prop. a square tablet; hence, in partic.,
I A sideboard, the top of which was made of marble, sometimes of silver, gold, or other precious material, chiefly used for the display of gold and silver vessels , Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 16, § 35; 2, 4, 25, § 57; id. Tusc. 5, 21, 61; Varr. L. L. 9, § 46 Müll.; Plin. 37, 2, 6, § 14; Juv. 3, 204: perh. also called mensae Delphicae, Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 59 init. Zumpt; Mart. 12, 67. Accord. to Liv. 39, 6, 7, and Plin. 34, 3, 8, § 14, Cn. Manlius Vulso flrst brought them from Asia to Rome, B.C. 187, in his triumph over the Galatae; cf. Becker, Gall. 2, p. 258 (2d edit.).—
II A gaming-board, divided into compartments , for playing with dice or counters, Suet. Ner. 22; Macr. S. 1, 5.—
III A counting-table, covered with sand or dust, and used for arithmetical computation, Pers. 1, 131; Ap. Mag. p. 284; cf. Becker, Gall. 2, p. 65. —
IV A wooden tray , Cato R. R. 10, 4.—
V A painted panel or square compartment in the wall or ceiling of a chamber , Vitr. 7, 3, 10; Plin. 33, 12, 56, § 159; 35, 1, 1, § 3, and 35, 6, 13, § 32.—
VI In architecture, a flat, square stone on the top of a column , immediately under the architrave, Vitr. 3, 5, 5 sq.; 4, 1, 11 sq.