crīnis, is, m. (fem., Atta ap. Non. p. 202, 29; acc. to the latter also Plaut. Most. 1, 3, 69; and so in Ritschl) [kindr. with crista; cf. κόρυς, κορυφή], the hair.
I Prop. (class.; esp. freq. in the poets), Cic. Verr. 2, 3, 33, § 76; Caes. B. G. 1, 51; id. B. C. 3, 9; Liv. 1, 13, 1; 3, 7, 8 et saep.; Verg. A. 1, 480; Cat. 64, 391; Hor. C. 2, 5, 24; 2, 19, 20 et saep.: capere crines, i. e. to marry (since the matrons distinguished themselves from maidens by their hair-dress), Plaut. Most. 1, 3, 69; cf. id. Mil. 3, 1, 195; and Fest. p. 339, 23 Müll.—Collectively, in sing., = crines, Hor. C. 1, 32, 12; 2, 12, 23 sq.—
B Rarely a hair : uxor rufa crinibus septem, Mart. 12, 32, 4.—
II Meton., of objects resembling hair; so,
A The tail of a comet , Verg. A. 5, 528; Ov. M. 15, 849; Plin. 2, 25, 22, §§ 89 and 90 al. (cf. crinitus, under crinio, II. B.); the rays of stars , Val. Fl. 2, 42; of the fire , id. 1, 205.—
B The feelers of polypi : conchas (polypi) conplexu crinium frangunt, Plin. 9, 29, 46, § 86; of the cuttle-fish , Apic. 2, 1.—
C The fibres of wood : crines ramentorum, Plin. 16, 42, 82, § 225.