versĭpellis (vorsĭp-), e, adj. [vertopellis, that changes its skin; hence, in gen.], that changes its shape or form, that alters its appearance, that transforms himself or itself.
I Lit.
A In gen.: eccum Juppiter In Amphitruonis vertit sese imaginem ... Ita versipellem se facit, quando lubet, Plaut. Am. prol. 123: capillus fit, i. e. turns gray , id. Pers. 2, 2, 48 (v. s. v. versicapillus).—
B In partic., subst.: ver-sĭpellis , is, m., acc. to the superstitious belief of the ancients, one who can change himself into a wolf , a man-wolf , were-wolf , Plin. 8, 22, 34, § 80; Petr. 62 fin. ; Ap. Met. 2, 22, 6.—
II Trop., skilled in dissimulation , sly , cunning , crafty , subtle (ante and post-class.): vorsipellem esse hominem convenit, pectus cui sapit: bonus sit bonis, malus sit malis, Plaut. Bacch. 4, 4, 12 Ritschl: quicum versipellis fio, Lucil. ap. Non. p. 38, 7: hortamen, Prud. Cath. 9, 91. — Comp. , Porc. Latro ap. Cat. 9.