cymbălum, i, n. (gen. plur. cymbalum, Cat. 63, 21), = κύμβαλον, a cymbal.
I Prop., an instrument consisting of two hollow plates of brass, which emit a ringing sound when struck together . They were used in the festivals of Cybele and Bacchus, and on other festive occasions; also to hinder the flight of bees, etc. (usu. in plur.), Lucr. 2, 619; Cat. 63, 21; 63, 29; Ov. F. 4, 213; Verg. G. 4, 64; Liv. 39, 8; Cic. Pis. 9, 20 sq.; Plin. 5, 1, 1, § 7; Quint. 11, 3, 59; Plin. Ep. 2, 14, 13.—
B Transf., in hydraulics, a sounding basin of similar form, a bell , Vitr. 10, 8, 5.—
II Trop.: Apion Grammaticus, hic quem Tiberius Caesar cymbalum mundi vocabat, i. e. as making the world ring with his ostentatious disputations, Plin. H. N. praef. § 25; cf. Verg. Cat. 7, 5 Wagn.; App. Orth. § 8 p. 129 Mai.