prō-sĕco, cŭi, ctum (old inf. pass. parag. prosecarier, Plaut. Poen. 2, 1, 8), 1, v. a., to cut off from before, cut away or off.
I In gen. (post-class.): prosectis naso prius ac mox auribus, Ap. Met. 2, 30, 19.—
II In partic.
A In agriculture, to cut up , break up with the plough (post-Aug.): solum, Plin. Ep. 5, 6, 10.—
B In relig. lang., to cut off the parts to be sacrificed: vetui exta prosecarier, Plaut. Poen. 2, 1, 8: ubi exta prosecta erunt, Cato R. R. 134: hostiae exta, Liv. 5, 21: exta prosecuit, Suet. Aug. 1: prosecta pectora, Val. Fl. 3, 439.—
2 In gen., to sacrifice (eccl. Lat.): Aesculapio gallinaceum, Tert. Apol. 46.
VI —Hence, prō-sectum , i, n., that which is cut off for sacrifice , the entrails , Varr. L. L. 5, § 110 Müll.; in plur., Ov. M. 12, 152; id. F. 6, 163; Stat. Th. 5, 641; Licin. Macer. ap. Non. 220, 20.—Collat. form prōsecta , ae, f., Lucil. ap. Non. 220, 22 dub. (al. prosicies).