ampulla

A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.

ampulla, ae, f. [amb- and olla, as having handles on both (opposite) sides, or an irreg. dim. of amphora].

I A vessel for holding liquids , furnished with two handles and swelling in the middle , a flask , bottle , jar , pot , etc. (also made of leather), Plaut. Merc. 5, 2, 86; id. Pers. 1, 3, 44; Cic. Fin. 4, 12 al.—*

II Prob. on account of its shape, like λήκυθος, of inflated discourse, swelling words , bombast : proicit ampullas et sesquipedalia verba, * Hor. A. P. 97; cf. Cic. Att. 1, 14, and ampullor.

Related Words