fībŭla (post-class. contr. fibla, Apic. 8, 7; Inscr. Orell. 2952; plur. heterocl.: fibula, ōrum, n., Spart. Hadr. 10, 5), ae, f. [contr. from figibula, from figo], that which serves to fasten two things together, a clasp, buckle, pin, latchet, brace.
I In gen.
A Lit.: ubi fibula vestem, Vitta coercuerat neglectos alba capillos, Ov. M. 2, 412; so on clothes (frequently set with gold and precious stones, and given as a mark of honor to deserving soldiers), Verg. A. 4, 139; 5, 313; 12, 274; Liv. 27, 19, 12; 39, 31, 18: fibula crinem Auro internectat, Verg. A. 7, 815: trabes binis utrimque fibulis ab extrema parte distinebantur, braces , * Caes. B. G. 4, 17, 6; Vitr. 1, 5: iligneae, ulmeae, etc., bands , fillets for making baskets , Cato R. R. 31, 1.—
B Transf.: P. Blessus Junium hominem nigrum, et macrum, et pandum, fibulam ferream dixit, Quint. 6, 3, 58.— Trop.: sententia clavi aliquā vel fibulā terminanda est, connection , Fronto Laud. Fun. 1: laxare fibulam delictis voluntariis, bonds , fetters , Tert. Cor. Mil. 11.—
II In partic.
A A surgical instrument for drawing together the lips of a wound , Gr. ἀγκτήρ, Cels. 5, 26, 23; 7, 4.—
B A stitching-needle drawn through the prepuce , Cels. 7, 25, 3; Mart. 7, 82, 1; 11, 75, 8; Juv. 6, 73; 379; Sen. ap. Lact. 1, 16; Tert. Cor. Mil. 11; id. Pudic. 16.