patella

pătella, ae, f. dim. [patina], a small pan or dish, a plate; a vessel used in cooking, and also to serve up food in.

I Lit., Varr. ap. Prisc. p. 681 P.: patella esurienti posita, id. ap. Non. 543, 33; Hor. Ep. 1, 5, 2; Mart. 5, 78, 7; Juv. 10, 64: sinapi in patellis decoctum, Plin. 19, 8, 54, § 171: cicadae tostae in patellis, id. 30, 8, 21, § 68.—

B In partic., a vessel used in sacrifices , an offering - dish : patellae vasula parva picata sacris faciendis apta, Fest. pp. 248 and 249 Müll.: oportet bonum civem legibus parere et deos colere, in patellam dare, μικρον κρεας, Varr. ap. Non. 544; Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 21, § 46: edere de patellā, of sacrilegious persons, id. Fin. 2, 7, 22 Madv. ad loc.; Liv. 26, 36; Ov. F. 6, 310; 2, 634; Pers. 3, 26; Val. Max. 4, 4, 3 al.—

II Transf.

A The kneepan , patella , Cels. 8, 1 fin. ; 8, 21.—

B A disease of the olive-tree , Plin. 17, 24. 37, § 223