mappa, ae, f. [Punic, Quint. 1, 5, 57], a napkin, table-napkin; a towel.
I Lit.: Varius mappa compescere risum Vix poterat, Hor. S. 2, 8, 63: laticlavia, Petr. 32; Mart. 4, 46, 17: rubra detergere vulnera mappa, Juv. 5, 27.—
II Transf., a cloth with which the signal for starting was given to racers in the circus, a signalcloth : mappam usitatum Circo nomen, Poeni sibi vindicant, Quint. 1, 5, 57: mappa cretata, Mart. 12, 29, 9: Megalesiacae spectacula mappae, Juv. 11, 191: aliquo liberto mittente mappam, unde magistratus solent, Suet. Ner. 22.