forfex, fĭcis, f. [forus-facio],
I a pair of shears or scissors : forfices sunt quibus incidimus: forcipes quibus aliquid firmum tenemus, Serv. ad Verg. A. 8, 453: vitiosa grana (in uva), forficibus amputant, Col. 12, 44, 4; Cels. 7, 21, 1: qualem (barbam) forficibus metit supinis Tonsor, Mart. 7, 95, 12; cf. Vitr. 10, 2, 2.—
II Transf.
A A claw of a crab: cancris bina brachia denticulatis forficibus, Plin. 9, 31, 51, § 97; of a locust, id. 32, 11, 53, § 148; of a beetle, id. 11, 28, 34, § 97.—
B Perh., a kind of battle-array , v. forceps, II.