ānŭlus (not ann-), i, m. [2. anus, like circulus from circum, not a dim.], a ring, esp. for the finger, a finger-ring; and for sealing, a seal-ring, signet-ring.
I Lit.: ille suum anulum opposuit, Plaut. Curc. 2, 3, 76: de digito anulum Detraho, Ter. Heaut. 650; id. Ad. 347; id. Hec. 829 et saep.; Lucr. 1, 312; 6, 1008; 6, 1014: (Gyges) anulum detraxit, Cic. Off. 3, 9, 38: gemmatus, Liv. 1, 11; Suet. Ner. 46; id. Caes. 33; id. Tib. 73 et saep.: anulo tabulas obsignare, Plaut. Curc. 2, 3, 67: sigilla anulo imprimere, Cic. Ac. 2 ( Luc. ), 26, 85; id. ad Q. Fr. 1, 1, 4; Plin. 33, 1, 5, 15 sqq. et saep.—The right to wear a gold ring was possessed, in the time of the Republic, only by the knights (equites); hence, equestris, * Hor. S. 2, 7, 53: anulum invenit = eques factus est, Cic. Verr. 2, 3, 76.—So also jus anulorum = dignitas equestris, Suet. Caes. 33: donatus anulo aureo, id. ib. 39; so id. Galb. 10; 14; id. Vit. 12 al.; cf. Mayor ad Juv. 7, 89; Smith. Dict. Antiq.—
II Of other articles in the form of rings.
A A ring for curtains : velares anuli, Plin. 13, 9, 18, § 62. —
B A link of a chain , Plin. 34, 15, 43, § 150; cf. Mart. 2, 29.— Irons for the feet , fetters : anulus cruribus aptus, Mart. 14, 169.—
C A curled lock of hair , a ringlet : comarum anulus, Mart. 2, 66.—
D A round ornament upon the capitals of Doric columns : anuli columnarum, Vitr. 4, 3.—
E Anuli virgei, rings made of willow rods , Plin. 15, 29, 37, § 124.