ā-vĭus, a, um, adj. [via], that is out of the way, remote, out of the right way; also, untrodden, unfrequented, solitary, lonely, etc. (while devius signifies leading from the right way; and invius, having no way, pathless; in the poets and histt. freq.).
I Lit.
A Silvani lucus extra murum est avius, Plaut. Aul. 4, 6, 8: Avia Pieridum peragro loca, nullius ante Trita solo, Lucr. 1, 926: nemora avia, id. 2, 145: virgulta, Verg. G. 2, 328: montes, Hor. C. 1, 23, 2: aviis itineribus, through by-ways , Sall. J. 54, 9: cujus (Caesaris) sibi species itinere avio occurrisset, Suet. Aug. 96: solitudines, Vell. 2, 55: avia commeatibus loca, Liv. 9, 19, 16.—Also,
B Subst.: āvĭum , ii, n., a by-way , a desert , wilderness; in a pun with avium, from avis: hunc avium dulcedo ducit ad avium, Auct. ad Her. 4, 21, 29.—More freq. in plur.: āvĭa , ōrum: avia cursu Dum sequor, et notā excedo regione viarum, Verg. A. 2, 737: per avia ac derupta, Tac. A. 6, 21: per avia, Ov. M. 1, 701; 2, 205.—So with gen.: avia vinerum, Vell. 2, 75: nemorum, Ov. M. 1, 179: saltuum, Tac. A. 2, 68: Oceani, id. ib. 2, 15: Armeniae, id. ib. 13, 37.—
C Poet., of persons, wandering , straying : Continuo in montes sese avius abdidit altos, Verg. A. 11, 810.—
II Trop.: Avius a verā longe ratione vagaris, astray , Lucr. 2, 82; 2, 229; 2, 740; 3, 463: init nunc avia coepto Consilia, i. e. leading away from the undertaking , Sil. 12, 493.