vītis, is, f. [root in Sanscr. vjā, to cover; cf. Goth. vindan; Germ. winden, to bind; Lat. vieo; cf.: vitta, vitex], a vine, grapevine.
I Lit., Plin. 14, 1, 2, § 9; Cic. Sen. 15, 52 sq.; Col. 3, 1 sq.; Cic. N. D. 2, 47, 120; Verg. E. 1, 74; 5, 32; id. G. 1, 2; Hor. Ep. 1, 16, 3; Ov. M. 8, 676.—
II Transf.
A A vine-branch , Cato R. R. 41; Varr. R. R. 1, 31, 3; 1, 8, 2; Ov. M. 6, 592 al.—
2 A centurion's staff , made of a vine-branch, Plin. 14, 1, 3, § 19; Liv. Epit. 57; Tac. A. 1, 23; Ov. A. A. 3, 527; Luc. 6, 146; Juv. 8, 247.— Hence,
b By a second transf., the office of a centurion , centurionship , Juv. 14, 193; Sil. 12, 395; 12, 465; 6, 43; Spart. Hadr. 10 med. —
B For vinea, a military penthouse , mantlet , Lucil. ap. Fest. s. v. sub, p. 311 Müll. —
C A vine in gen., of the pumpkin, cucumber, Pall. 4, 9, 9; 4, 10, 15; Mart. 8, 51, 12.—
D Vitis nigra, black bryony , Plin. 23, 1, 17, § 27.—
E Vitis alba, the plant called also ampeloleuce, Plin. 23, 1, 16, § 21; Col. 10, 347.