taurus, i, m. [ = Gr. ταῦρος; Sanscr. sthūrus; Goth. stiur; Germ. Stier], a bull, bullock, ox, steer.
I Lit., Varr. R. R. 2, 5; Col. 6, 20; Plin. 8, 45, 70, § 176; Plaut. Ps. 1, 2, 66; Cic. Div. 2, 16, 36 sq.; Caes. B. G. 6, 28; Verg. G. 3, 212; Hor. S. 1, 3, 110 al. —
II Transf.
A A brazen bull made by Perillus , that Phalaris used as an instrument of torture , Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 33, § 73; Ov. A. A. 1, 653; id. Tr. 3, 11, 41 sq.; Plin. 34, 8, 19, § 89.—
B The Bull , a constellation in the zodiac , Hyg. Astr. 2, 21; 3, 20; Verg. G. 1, 218; Plin. 2, 41, 41, § 110.—
C A small bird that imitates the lowing of oxen , perh. the bittern , Plin. 10, 42, 57, § 116.—
D A kind of beetle : tauri vocantur scaribaei terrestres ricino similes, Plin. 30, 5, 12, § 39. —
E A root of a tree , acc. to Quint. 8, 2, 13. —
F The surface of the body between the anus and the privy parts , Gr. ὄρρος, Fest. s. v. solitaurilia, p. 293 Müll.; cf. Diom. p. 444 P.