saeptum (sēp-), i, n. [saepio] (class.; usu. plur.).
I Prop.
A In gen., a fence , en closure , wall , etc.; plur. absol. : nunc de saeptis, quae tutandi causā fundi, aut partis fiant, dicam, Varr. R. R. 1, 14, 1; cf. the context: quibus enim saeptis tam immanes beluas continebimus? Cic. Phil. 13, 3, 5: saxea saepta, id. ib. 4, 701: saepta candentia, Mart. Cap. 2, § 108: nisi saeptis revolsis, Cic. Phil. 5, 4, 9.—With gen.: transit fulmen caeli per saepta domorum, Lucr. 1, 490; cf. id. 6, 228; 6, 860.— Sing. : AEDICVLAM, ARAM, SAEPTVM, CLVSVM, VETVSTATE DIRVTA RESTITVIT, Inscr. Orell. 1515.—
B Esp.: Saeptum lini, a hunter's net or toils , Nemes. Cyneg. 308.—
II Meton.
A In gen., any enclosed place , an enclosure : ut intra saepta (sc. villae) habeat aquam, Varr. R. R. 1, 11, 2.—
2 Esp.
a A fold for cattle: quamvis multa meis exiret victima saeptis, Verg. E. 1, 34: saepta repetit pecus, Col. 6, 23, 3.—
b A fish-pond or preserve : animadvertimus intra saepta pelagios greges inertis mugilis, Col. 8, 17, 8.—
c Plur. , a large enclosed place in the Campus Martius , where the people assembled to vote , and where were many handsome shops : cum ille in saepta irruisset, Cic. Mil. 15, 41: est (sc. dies) quoque, quo populum jus est includere saeptis, Ov. F. 1, 53; cf. Mart. 9, 60, 1. —
d Saeptum venationis, a park , warren , preserve , enclosed hunting-ground , Varr. R. R. 3, 12, 2; cf. the context.—
B Any thing used for enclosing, etc.; hence,
1 A palisade , stake , pale : inermem tribunum adoriantur fragmentis saeptorum et fustibus, Cic. Sest. 37, 79.—
2 A sluice , flood-gate , Dig. 43, 21, 1, § 4.—
3 Medic. t. t., the diaphragm , midriff : jecur ... ab ipso saepto orsum, Cels. 4, 1; cf. id. 5, 26, 15; 7, 4, 2; called also transversum saeptum, id. 4, 1.