corvus, i, m. [root kar-, kal-, to sound; cf.: καλέω, κόραξ, etc.],
I a raven , Plin. 10, 43, 60, § 121 sq.; acc. to the fable, orig. white, changed to a black bird in punishment for treachery, Ov. M. 2, 541 sq.; on account of its gift of prophecy (oscen, Hor. C. 3, 27, 11), consecrated to Apollo, Ov. M. 5, 329 (hence, Phoebeïus ales, id. ib. 2, 545: Delphicus ales, Petr. 122; cf. also Stat. Th. 3, 506); its flight to the right indicated good fortune, Plaut. As. 2, 1, 12; Cic. Div. 1, 39, 85.—
B Prov.: in cruce corvos pascere, to be hanged , Hor. Ep. 1, 16, 48.—
II Meton., of bodies whose form or coloring is similar to that of the raven's bill .
A In form.
1 A military implement, a grapnel , Curt. 4, 2, 12; 4, 3, 24 Mützell.—
2 A battering-ram , Vitr. 10, 19.—
3 A surgical instrument , in the form of a hook, Cels. 7, 19, § 33.—
4 The constellation Corvus , Vitr. 9, 7; Hyg. Astr. 3, 39.—
B From its color, a sea-fish , Plin. 32, 11, 53, § 146; Cels. 2, 18; Aus. Ep. 4, 63.—
C In mal. part. = fellator, Juv. 2, 63; cf. Mart. 14, 74.