armillum

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

armillum, i, n. [acc. to Paul. ex Fest., from armus; v. infra],

a vessel for wine (ante- and post-class.): armillum, quod est urceoli genus vinarii, Varr. ap. Non. p. 547, 15: armillum vas vinarium in sacris dictum, quod armo, id est humero deportetur, Paul. ex Fest. p. 2 Müll.—Hence the proverb, ad armillum revertere, or redire, or simply, ad armillum, to return to one's old habits , to begin one's old tricks again , Lucil. ap. Non. p. 74, 13: at illa ad armillum revertit et ad familiares feminarum artes accenditur, Ap. Met. 9, 29, 3.—With a more pointed reference, Apuleius, speaking of Cupid, changes armillum in the proverb into armile = armamentarium, an armory , Met. 6, 22, 3.