lautĭa (in Plutarch λαύτεια, Quaest. Rom. 45; old form: dautia quae lautia dicimus et dantur legatis hospitii gratia, Paul. ex Fest. p. 68 Müll.), ōrum, n. [lautus, v. lavo fin.], the entertainment furnished in Rome to foreign ambassadors or distinguished guests at the expense of the state.
I Lit.: locus inde lautiaque legatis praeberi jussa, Liv. 28, 39, 19; 30, 17, 14; 33, 24, 5; 35, 23, 11; 42, 6, 11; 42, 19, 6.—
II Transf. (post-class.), Ap. Met. 9, 11, 6; equum illum hospitium, ac loca lautia mihi praebiturum, id. ib. 3, 26, 17; Sid. Ep. 8, 12 fin. ; Serv. Verg. A. 8, 361.