ansa, ae, f. [cf. χανδάνω, and pre-hendo, pre-hensum, and λαβή from λαβεῖν], that by which something is taken hold of, a handle, haft; of a vessel, pitcher, vase, and the like.
I Lit., Cato R. R. 113; Verg. E. 3, 45; 6, 17; Ov. M. 8, 653; id. H. 16, 252; Mart. 14, 106 al.—Of other things, e. g. of an iron handle of a door : ansa ostii, Petr. 96.—Of the loop on the edge of a sandal , through which the shoetie was drawn, Plin. 35, 10, 36, § 12; so Tib. 1, 8, 14.—Of the handle of the rudder , the tiller , Vitr. 10, 8.—Of the cheeks of a balance in which the lever moves , Vitr. 10, 8.— In architecture, the cramp-iron or brace which holds several stones together , Vitr. 2, 8; Prop. 5, 1, 142.—
II Trop., as also the Gr. λαβή, handle , occasion , opportunity (rare, and in the class. per. only in Cic.): illum quaerere ansam, infectum ut faciat? Plaut. Pers. 4, 4, 119: reprehensionis ansa, Cic. Planc. 34: controversiarum, id. Caecin. 6 fin. : ansas sermonis dare, id. Sest. 10: sibi tamquam ansas ad reprehendendum dare, id. Am. 16, 59: alicui lucrandi ansam offerre, Amm. 28, 1.