frŭtex, ĭcis, m. (fem.: Nilotica, Mart. Cap. 3, § 225) [prob. kindr. with βρύω, to sprout forth], a shrub, bush (cf. arbor).
I Lit.: ex surculo vel arbor procedit, ut olea, ficus, pirus; vel frutex, ut violae, rosae, arundines; vel tertium quiddam, quod neque arborem neque fruticem proprie dixerimus, sicuti est vitis, Col. Arb. 1, 2; Col. 8, 15, 5; Plin. 16, 36, 64, § 156; Ov. A. A. 3, 249; Petr. 135: numerosus, Plin. 18, 24, 55, § 199: olerum, Col. 11, 3, 63: lupini, id. 2, 14, 5: sucus fruticis recentis, Plin. 23, 3, 35, § 71: frutices inter membra condebant, Lucr. 5, 956: his genus omne silvarum fruticumque viret, Verg. G. 2, 21: in montuosis locis et fruticibus, Varr. R. R. 2, 1, 16; collect. in the sing.: venari asello comite cum vellet leo, Contexit illum frutice, Phaedr. 1, 11, 4.—
II Transf.
A Perh., the lower part of the stem of a tree , the trunk : quercus antiqua singulos repente ramos a frutice dedit, Suet. Vesp. 5 (al. radice).—
B As a term of reproach, like caudex, stipes, blockhead : nec veri simile loquere nec verum, frutex, Plaut. Mil. 1, 1, 13 Lorenz (Ritschl, rupex); Ap. Mag. p. 317; v. Oud. ad h. l.