carnĭfex or carnŭfex, fĭcis, m. [v. caro-facio],
I an executioner , hangman , Plaut. Bacch. 4, 4, 37; id. Capt. 5, 4, 22; id. Rud. 3, 6, 19; Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 45, § 118; id. Phil. 11, 3, 7; id. Quint. 15, 50; id. Rab. Perd. 4, 12; Quint. 5, 10, 59; Lucr. 3, 1017; Cat. 97, 12; Juv. 8, 175 al.; this office was considered so disgraceful that he was not permitted to live in the city , Cic. Rab. Perd. 4 sq.; but in the Subura , Mart. 2, 17, 1 sqq.—
b As a term of reproach, scoundrel , villain , rascal , Plaut. Am. 1, 1, 220; 2, 1, 41; Ter. And. 183; id. Eun. 670; Cic. Pis. 5, 11.—
II Trop., tormenter , murderer , Ter. And. 651 Don.; Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 3, § 9; Liv. 2, 35, 1; 2, 56, 8; 2, 42, 23 fin. : Fortuna gloriae carnifex, murderer , destroyer of fame , Plin. 28, 4, 7, § 39. —Poet., adj., murderous , killing : carnifex avis, Mart. 11, 84, 10: pedes (sc. podagrici), id. 12, 48, 10: manus, Sil. 1, 173: epulae, deadly , Claud. B. Gild. 178: libido, Arn. 1, 41.