canthērĭus or cantērĭus, ii, m. [perh. κανθήλιος, a beast of burden].
I A gelding , Varr. R. R. 2, 7, 15; cf. Paul. ex Fest. p. 46 Müll.; Plaut. Aul. 3, 5, 21; id. Capt. 4, 2, 34; Cic. N. D. 3, 5, 11; id. Fam. 9, 18, 4; Sen. Ep. 87, 9.—
B An ass , mule , Tert. Apol. 16; id. ad Nat. 1, 14.—Prov.: minime, sis, cantherium in fossam, put the hack in the ditch , when it is useless, Liv. 23, 47, 6 Weissenb. ad loc.—
II Meton.
A A man impotent through age , Plaut. Cist. 4, 2, 83.—
B In architecture, a spar under the roof , a rafter , Fr. chevron, Vitr. 4, 2.—
C In the lang. of vine-dressing, a pole furnished with cross-pieces for supporting the vine , a trellis , Col. 4, 12, 1; 4, 4, 14; 11, 3, 62.—
D Among veterinary surgeons, a kind of frame for suspending sick horses , Veg. 3, 47, 3.