stilla, ae, f. [dim. of stĭria; cf. Fest. s. v. stiricipium, p. 345 Müll.; Corss. 1, p. 518], a drop (a dense, viscous, gummy, fatty drop; whereas gutta is a natural, liquid drop: gutta imbrium est, stilla olei vel aceti, Suet. Fragm. p. 319, 27 Roth).
I Lit. (rare but class.): stilla muriae, * Cic. Fin. 3, 14, 45; Plin. 29, 4, 21, § 70: sicca et sine stillis arbor, Vitr. 2, 9, 3; Serv. Verg. A. 3, 366: olei, Ap. Met. 5, 23, 15; stilla saeva (arborum), Plin. 17, 12, 19, § 92.—
II Transf., a drop , i. e. a small quantity (post-Aug.): olei, Mart. 12, 70, 3.—Trop.: pauculae temporum, a very little , a moment Aug. Ep. 140.—
III In later Lat. = gutta, stillae pluviae, Vulg. Job, 36, 27: roris, id. ib. 38, 28: pluviarum, id. Jer. 3, 3.