piscīna, ae, f. [piscis], a pond in which fish are kept, a fish-pond.
I Lit.: piscinarum genera sunt duo, dulcium et salsarum, Varr. R. R. 3, 17, 2; 3, 3, 2; 5; 10; Col. 1, 6, 21; 8, 17: in piscinam rete qui parat, Plaut. Truc. 1, 1, 12; Cic. Par. 5, 2, 38; id. Att. 2, 1, 7.—Esp.,
2 Piscina publica, the public fish-pond at the Porta Capena: praetores tribunalia ad Piscinam publicam posuerunt, Liv. 23, 32, 4; cf. Fest. infra, II. A. —
II Transf. (post-Aug.).
A A pond for bathing or swimming , whether of warm or cold water; a basin , pool , Plin. Ep. 5, 6, 23: cohaeret calida piscina, ex quā natantes mare aspiciunt, id. ib. 2, 17, 11; Sen. Ep. 86, 5; Suet. Ner. 27; Lampr. Elag. 19; piscinam peto, non licet natare, Mart. 3, 44, 13; Vulg. Cant. 7, 4; id. Johan. 5, 2: piscinae publicae hodieque nomen manet, ipsa non exstat, ad quam et natatum et exercitationis alioqui causā veniebat populus, Fest. p. 213 Müll.—Of a pond where cattle might bathe and drink: piscinae pecoribus instruantur, Col. 1, 5, 2; 1, 6, 21.—
B A flood-gate , sluice , lock , Plin. 3, 5, 9, § 53.—
C A cistern , tank , reservoir : piscinae ligneae, Plin. 34, 12, 32, § 123: Probatica piscina, Vulg. Johan. 5, 2.