feles

A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.

fēles, is (in Varr. and Cic. faelis in best MSS.; nom. felis, Plaut. Rud. 3, 4, 43; Plin. 6, 29, 35, § 178), f. [root fe-, v. felix; prop., she that bears young],

I a cat : Aegyptii quamvis carnificinam prius subierint, quam aut faelem aut canem aut crocodilum violent, Cic. Tusc. 5, 27, 78; id. N. D. 1, 29, 82; id. Leg. 1, 11, 32; Phaedr. 2, 4, 2; Plin. 10, 73, 94, § 202; 11, 37, 65, § 172; Ov. M. 5, 330 al.—

B Transf., a marten , ferret , polecat , Varr. R. R. 3, 11, 3; Col. 8, 14, 9.—

II Trop., one who inveigles , a mouser , seducer (very rare): feles virginalis, girl - thief , Plaut. Rud. 3, 4, 43: feles virginaria, id. Pers. 4, 9, 14: pullaria, Aus. Epigr. 70.

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