picus

A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.

pīcus, i, m. [perh. root pingo; cf. pica].

I A woodpecker , one of the birds used in augury, Plaut. As. 2, 1, 12: sunt et parvae aves uncorum unguium, ut pici, Martio cognomine insignes et in auspicatu magni, Plin. 10, 18, 20, § 40; 11, 37, 44, § 122; Non. 518, 24.—

II A fabulous bird , the griffin : picos veteres esse voluerunt, quos Graeci γρύπας appellant. Plautus Aulularia (4, 8, 1): pici divitiis, qui aureos montes colunt, Ego solus supero, Non. 152, 7 sq.

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