pullus, i, m. [root pu-, to beget; cf. puer; Gr. πῶλος; Engl. foal].
I A young animal , young , a foal (cf. fetus): asininus, Varr. R. R. 2, 8, 2: equinus, Col. 6, 29, 1: onagrorum, Plin. 8, 44, 69, § 171: glirium, Varr. R. R. 3, 15: ranae, Hor. S. 2, 3, 314: columbini, Cic. Fam. 9, 18: gallinacei, Liv. 32, 1; Col. 8, 5, 7: pavonini, Varr. R. R. 3, 9: anserum, id. ib. 3, 10: ciconiae, Juv. 14, 74: ex ovis pulli orti, chicks , Cic. N. D. 2, 48, 124: asinam, et pullum filium, Vulg. Zach. 9, 9.—
B In partic., a young fowl , a chicken , Hor. S. 1, 3, 92; 2, 2, 121; id. Ep. 2, 2, 163; Sen. Q. N. 4, 6, 2; cf.: pulli implumes, Hor. Epod. 1, 19.—So of the sacred chickens , used in divination: cum cavea liberati pulli non pascerentur, Cic. N. D. 2, 3, 8.—
II Transf.
A Of persons.
1 As a term of endearment, dove , chick , darling : meus pullus passer, mea columba, Plaut. Cas. 1, 50: strabonem Appellat paetum paeter, et pullum, male parvus Si cui filius est, Hor. S. 1, 3, 45; Suet. Calig. 13 fin. ; M. Aur. ap. Front. Ep. ad Anton. 1, 1 Mai.—
2 Pullus milvinus, qs. young kite , of an avaricious person, Cic. Q. Fr. 1, 2, 2, § 6.—
B Of plants, a sprout , young twig , Cato R. R. 51; 133; Pall. 4, 9.