cō̆clĕa (cō̆chlĕa; cf. the letter C), ae, f. [κοχλίας, ό],
I a snail : quom caletur cocleae in occulto latent, Plaut. Capt. 1, 1, 12; Plin. 9, 56, 82, § 173 sq.; Varr. R. R. 3, 14; Cic. Div. 2, 64, 133; Auct. Her. 4, 49, 62; Hor. S. 2, 4, 59: nudae, without shells , Plin. 29, 6, 36, § 112; an emblem of slowness, Plaut. Poen. 3, 1, 29.—
b In cocleam, snail-formed , spiral , Cels. 8, 10, 1; Col. 8, 17, 2; cf.: per cocleam ascendebat in cenaculum, Vulg. 3 Reg. 6, 8.—
II Meton.
A A snail-shell , Mart. 11, 18, 23.—
B A screw of a press , Vitr. 6, 9.—
C A machine for drawing water , a water-snail , waterscrew , Vitr. 5, 12; 10, 8; 10, 11.—
D A door that moves easily , Varr. R. R. 3, 5, 3 Schneid.