fossor, ōris, m. [fodio], a digger, delver, ditcher.
I Lit.
A In gen. (poet. and in post-Aug. prose): et labefacta movens robustus jugera fossor, Verg. G. 2, 264: squalidus in magna compede fossor, Juv. 11, 80; Hor. C. 3, 18, 15; Mart. 7, 71, 4; Col. 11, 2, 38: ceu septa novus jam moenia laxet Fossor, i. e. a miner , sapper , Stat. Th. 2, 419.—
B In partic.
1 A miner , workman in a mine , Vitr. 7, 8, 1; Calp. Ecl. 4, 118 (cf. aurifossor).—
2 In late Lat., a grave-digger , Inscr. Orell. 4925 al.; cf. fossa, I. B. 3.—
3 In mal. part., a fornicator , Aus. Ep. 49; cf. fossa, I. B. 4.—
II Transf., in gen., in a contemptuous signif., a common laborer , a clown , Cat. 22, 10: cum sis cetera fossor, Pers. 5, 122.