Sămus or Sămos, i, f., = Σάμος.
I An island on the coast of Asia Minor opposite Ephesus , famed as the birthplace of Pythagoras , as also for its earth and the vessels made from it , the mod. Samo , Mel. 2, 7, 4; Verg. A. 1, 16; Hor. Ep. 1, 11, 2; 1, 11, 21; Ov. M. 8, 221; acc. Samum, Cic. Imp. Pomp. 12, 33; id. Q. Fr. 1, 1, 8, § 25; Liv. 37, 10 fin. sq.; Suet. Aug. 17; Lact. 1, 15, 9; cf.: Threïciam Samon (i. e. Samothraciam), Verg. A. 7, 208; Ov. M. 15, 61; id. F. 6, 48; id. Tr. 1, 10, 20.
II —Hence, Sămĭus , a, um, adj., of or belonging to Samos , Samian : terra, the district belonging to it on the neighboring main-land , Liv. 37, 10 fin. : Juno, worshipped there , Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 19, § 50: vir, i. e. Pythagoras , Ov. M. 15, 60; also, senex, id. Tr. 3, 3, 62; and absol. : Sămĭus , i, m., i. e. Pythagoras , id. F. 3, 153: lapis, used for polishing gold, Plin. 36, 21, 40, § 152: terra, Samian earth , id. 35, 16, 53, § 191; 28, 12, 53, § 194 al.: testa, earthen-ware made of Samian ( or other equally fine ) clay , Lucil. ap. Non. 398, 33; Tib. 2, 3, 47: vas, Plaut. Bacch. 2, 2, 24; id. Capt. 2, 2, 41: catinus, Lucil. ap. Non. 398, 25: capedines, Cic. Rep. 6, 2, 2.—As substt.
1 Sămĭa , ae, f. (sc. placenta), a kind of cake , Tert. adv. Marc. 3, 5.—
2 In plur.: Sămĭa , ōrum, n., Samian ware , Auct. Her. 4, 51, 64; Plin. 35, 12, 46, § 160; Vulg. Isa. 45, 9.—Its brittleness was proverbial; hence, in a comical lusus verbb.: Pi. (Inveni Bacchidem) Samiam. Ch. Vide quaeso, ne quis tractet illam indiligens: Scis tu, ut confringi vas cito Samium solet, Plaut. Bacch. 2, 2, 22; cf. id. Men. 1, 2, 65.— Dim. adj. : Sămĭŏ-lus , a, um, Samian : poterium, Plaut. Stich. 5, 4, 12.—
3 Sămĭi , ōrum, m., the inhabitants of Samos , the Samians , Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 20, § 52; Liv. 33, 20 fin. —
II The island of Cephalenia , v. Same.