gĕnĭus, i (voc. geni, Tib. 4, 5, 9 M. dub.), m. [root GEN, gigno; prop., the superior or divine nature which is innate in everything, the spiritual part, spirit; hence], the tutelar deity or genius of a person, place, etc. (cf.: lares, penates).
I In gen.: genium dicebant antiqui naturalem deum uniuscujusque loci vel rei aut hominis, Serv. Verg. G. 1, 302; cf. Voss ad loc.; Verg. A. 5, 95; Juv. 6, 22; Liv. 21, 62, 9; Mart. 7, 12, 10: eundem esse genium et larem, multi veteres memoriae prodiderunt, in queis etiam Granius Flaccus, Censor. de Die Nat. 3, 2; Prud. adv. Symm. 2, 369; 444: scit Genius, natale comes qui temperat astrum, Naturae deus humanae, mortalis in unum Quodque caput, vultu mutabilis, albus et ater, Hor. Ep. 2, 2, 187: genius tuus malus, Flor. 4, 7, 8. —In urgent petitions and in oaths appeals were made to the Genius of the person addressed, or to that of some eminent person: te per Genium ... Obsecro et obtestor, Hor. Ep. 1, 7, 94; cf. Sen. Ep. 12, 12; Tib. 4, 5, 8; Suet. Calig. 27; Dig. 12, 2, 13, § 6.— On festal occasions the Genius was propitiated: cras Genium mero Curabis et porco bimestri, Hor. C. 3, 17, 14; id. Ep. 2, 1, 144; id. A. P. 210; Pers. 2, 3; Ov. Am. 1, 8, 94 et saep.; cf. Tib. 1, 7, 49: magne Geni, cape dona libens votisque faveto, id. 4, 5, 9: acceptus Geniis December (because the Saturnalian festivals occurred in it), Ov. F. 3, 58: genium loci ... precatur, Verg. A. 7, 136: GENIO LOCI, Inscr. Orell. 343 sq.; 1697; 1701: COLONIAE, ib. 367; 1693 sq.: MVNICIPII, ib. 689; 1690 sq.: CVRIAE, ib. 1120: FORI VINARII, ib. 4087: THEATRI, ib. 1713: Lateranus deus est focorum et Genius, Arn. 4, 6 et saep.: Priapi, Petr. 21: Famae, Mart. 7, 12, 10: JOVIS, Inscr. Orell. 1730; 2488: DEORVM, ib. 1730.—
II In partic.
A With respect to the enjoyment of life.
1 The spirit of social enjoyment , fondness for good living , taste , appetite , inclination : isti qui cum geniis suis belligerant, parcipromi, Plaut. Truc. 1, 2, 81; cf.: egomet me defraudavi Animumque meum geniumque meum, id. Aul. 4, 9, 15; and: suum defrudans genium, sacrificing his inclinations , Ter. Phorm. 44 Ruhnk.: sapis multum ad genium, Plaut. Pers. 1, 3, 28: hic quidem meliorem Genium tuum non facies, id. Stich. 4, 2, 42: nunc et amico meo prosperabo et genio meo multa bona faciam, id. Pers. 2, 3, 11: indulge genio: carpamus dulcia, id. ib. 5, 151.—Hence,
2 A term used by parasites for entertainer , patron : ecquis est, qui mihi commonstret Phaedromum genium meum? Plaut. Curc. 2, 3, 22; 5, 2, 29; id. Capt. 4, 2, 99; id. Men. 1, 2, 29. —
B Of the intellect, wit , talents , genius (very rare): nemo mathematicus genium indemnatus habebit, Juv. 6, 562: victurus genium debet habere liber, Mart. 6, 60, 10. —Hence, in a pun with the preced. signif., Mart. 7, 78, 7.