volsella

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

volsella (vuls-) or volsilla, ae, f., a kind of pincers for pulling out hairs, tweezers.

I Lit., Plaut. Curc. 4, 4, 21; Mart. 9, 28, 5.—As a surgical instrument, forceps , Cels. 7, 12, 1; 6, 18, 3.—

II Transf.: pugnare volsellis, non gladio, i. e. so as to do but little damage , Varr. L. L. 9, § 33 Müll.