caenum (less correctly coenum), i, n. [cunio],
I dirt , filth , mud , mire (always with access. idea of loathsomeness, diff. from limus, lutum, etc.: omnes stultos insanire, ut male olere omne caenum, Cic. Tusc. 4, 24, 54; freq. and class. in prose and poetry); prop.: pulchrum ornatum turpes mores pejus caeno collinunt, Plaut. Most. 1, 3, 133; cf. id. Poen. 1, 2, 93; 4, 2, 4; Cic. Att. 2, 21, 4; id. Verr. 2, 5, 68, § 173; Lucr. 6, 977; Verg. G. 4, 49; id. A. 6, 296; Ov. M. 1, 418; * Hor. S. 2, 7, 27; Curt. 3, 13, 11; 4, 3, 25; Tac. A. 1, 73; * Suet. Vit. 17: cloacarum, Col. 2, 15, 6; 7, 4, 6; Plin. 31, 6, 32, § 61; Stat. Th. 9, 502; Paul. Sent. 5, 4, 13.— Prov.: mordicus petere e caeno cibum, Lucil. ap. Non. p. 138, 22.—
II Trop., filth , dirt , uncleanness : ut eum ex lutulento caeno propere hinc eliciat foras (sc. ex amore meretricum), Plaut. Bacch. 3, 1, 17: in tenebris volvi caenoque, Lucr. 3, 77; cf.: ex caeno plebeio consulatum extrahere, Liv. 10, 15, 9.—Also as a term of reproach, dirty fellow , vile fellow , Plaut. Pers. 3, 3, 3; id. Ps. 1, 3, 132; Cic. Sest. 8, 20; id. Dom. 18, 47.