argentārĭus, a, um, adj. [argentum].
I Of or pertaining to silver (cf. argentum, I. A.): metalla, silver-mines , Plin. 33, 5, 26, § 86: plumbum, a mixture of tin and lead , id. 34, 9, 20, § 95, and 34, 17, 48, § 160: creta, for polishing silver, tripoli , rottenstone , id. 35, 17, 58, § 199: faber, a worker in silver , silver-smith , Dig. 34, 2, 39.—
II Of or pertaining to money (cf. argentum, I. B. 2.): amore pereo et inopiā argentariā, am dying of love and want of money , Plaut. Ps. 1, 3, 65; so, opes, possessions in money , id. Ep. 5, 2, 7: auxilium, pecuniary assistance , id. Ps. 1, 1, 103: sunt meretrices omnes elecebrae argentariae, enticers away of money , id. Men. 2, 3, 26: cura, care of money , Ter. Phorm. 886: taberna, a banker's stall , bank , Liv. 26, 11; so, mensa, a banking-table , Dig. 2, 13, 4 al.—Hence subst. in all genders, like aerarius, harenarius, etc. (only thus in Cic., never as an adj.).
A argentārĭus , ii, m.
1 A money-changer , banker (by whom much business was transacted, since all business transactions were committed to writing by them; cf. Dig. 2, 13, 10), Plaut. As. 1, 1, 103; so id. ib. 1, 1, 113; id. Aul. 3, 5, 53; id. Pers. 3, 3, 29 al.; Cic. Caecin. 6: argentarii tabulae, id. ib. 6; Suet. Aug. 2; id. Ner. 5.—
2 (Sc. faber.) A silver-smith , Vulg. Jud. 17, 4; ib. Sap. 15, 9; ib. Isa. 40, 19: Demetrius, argentarius faciens aedes argenteas Dianae, ib. Act. 19, 24; Inscr. Orell. 913; 995; 4146.—
B argentārĭa , ae, f. (sc. taberna).
1 A banking-house , a bank , Plaut. Truc. 1, 1, 47; so id. ib. 1, 1, 51; id. Ep. 2, 2, 15; Liv. 9, 40; 26, 27; 40, 51.—
2 (sc. ars.) The vocation or employment of a banker or broker : M. Fulcinius, qui Romae argentariam non ignobilem fecit, Cic. Caecin. 4: argentariā dissolutā, after the dissolution , closing up , of the bank , id. ib. 4: exercere, Dig. 2, 13, 4: administrare, ib. 2, 13, 4.—
3 (Sc. fodina; cf.: aeraria, harenaria, ferraria, etc.) A silver-mine , Liv. 34, 21; Tac. A. 6, 19 (conj. of Weissenb.).—*
C argentārĭum , ii, n., a place for keeping silver , a cupboard or safe for plate , Dig. 34, 2, 19, § 8.