crusta, ae, f. [cf. crudus], the hard surface of a body, the rind, shell, crust, bark, etc.
I In gen.: luti, Lucr. 6, 626; cf. soli, Dig. 39, 2, 9: panis, Plin. 19, 8, 53, § 168: glandis, id. 15, 28, 34, § 112: piscium, id. 9, 28, 44, § 83: locustarum, id. 9, 30, 50, § 95: ulcerum, the scab , Cels. 5, 9; cf. id. 5, 10: fluminis, a covering or crust of ice , Verg. G. 3, 360 et saep.—
II In partic., t. t. of plastic art, inlaid, chased , or embossed work on walls or vessels, plasterwork, stucco-work, mosaic work : parietis, Plin. 35, 12, 45, § 154; cf. id. 36, 6, 7, § 48: quae (vasa) probarant, eis crustae aut emblemata detrahebantur, Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 23, § 52; Plin. 36, 6, 6, § 47; 36, 6, 7, § 48: capaces Heliadum crustae, Juv. 5, 38; Dig. 34, 2, 32, § 1.—*
B Trop.: non est ista solida et sincera felicitas; crusta est et quidem tenuis, plaster- or outside-work , Sen. Prov. 6, 3; cf. tectorium.