fistŭla, ae, f. [findo, fissum].
I In gen., a pipe , tube , e. g. a water-pipe (usually of lead; syn.: tubus, canalis, sypho), Cic. Rab. Perd. 11, 31; Front. Aquaed. 25 sq.; Plin. 2, 103, 106, § 224; 31, 6, 31, § 58; Ov. M. 4, 122; Inscr. Orell. 3322; 3324; 3892; the wind-pipe and gullet , Plin. 11, 37, 66, § 175; Gell. 17, 11, 4; the tubular vessels in the lungs , Plin. 11, 37, 72, § 188; in the teeth , id. 11, 37, 62, § 163; a hole in a sponge , id. 31, 11, 47, § 123 al.; the blow-hole of the whale, id. 9, 7, 6, § 19.—
II In partic.
A A hollow reed-stalk , a reed , cane , Plin. 12, 22, 48, § 106; 19, 5, 23, § 66.—
2 Transf.
a A reed-pipe , shepherd's pipe , pipes of Pan (made of several reeds gradually decreasing in length and calibre), the Greek σύριγξ, invented by Pan (syn.: tibia, sura): fistula, cui semper decrescit arundinis ordo: Nam calamus cerā jungitur usque minor, Tib. 2, 5, 31; cf. Verg. E. 2, 32 sq.; Ov. M. 1, 688 sq.; 2, 682; 13, 784; Plin. 7, 56, 57, § 204; Hor. C. 4, 1, 24; 4, 12, 10 et al.: eburneola, a pitch-pipe , for giving the tone in which an orator should speak, Cic. de Or. 3, 60, 225 sq.; cf. Quint. 1, 10, 27.— In comic transf.: itaque et ludis et gladiatoribus mirandas ἐπισημασίας sine ulla pastoricia fistula auferebamus, i. e. without being hissed off , Cic. Att. 1, 16, 11.—
b A writing-reed , Pers. 3, 14.—
B A sort of ulcer , a fistula , Cels. 2, 8 med. ; 5, 12; 7, 4; Plin. 20, 9, 33, § 55; 24, 11, 51, § 88; Cato R. R. 157, 14; Nep. Att. 21, 3.—
C Fistula sutoria, a shoemaker's punch , Plin. 17, 14, 23, § 100.—
D A catheter : aeneae fistulae fiunt, Cels. 7, 26, 1 init. —
E Fistula farraria, a sort of hand-mill for grinding corn , Cato R. R. 10, 3; also called fistula serrata, Plin. 18, 10, 23, § 97.