strena

A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.

strēna, ae, f. [Sabine].

I Lit., a sign , prognostic , omen (Plautin.), Plaut. Stich. 3, 2, 8; 5, 2, 24.—

II Transf., a new-year's present given for the sake of the omen (syn. xenium; cf. the Fr. étrennes ), Suet. Calig. 42; id. Aug. 57; id. Tib. 34; Pompon. ap. Non. 17, 1 al.; cf.: strenam vocamus, quae datur die religioso, ominis boni gratiā, Fest. s. h. v. p. 313 Müll.; Aus. Ep. 18, 4.