Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Bidens

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

BIDENS (δίκελλα, σμινύη). A strong and heavy two-pronged hoe (Ov. Fast. iv. 927), employed in various agricultural purposes; such as, for hoeing up the soil instead of ploughing; for breaking the clods of earth turned up by the plough; for loosening and clearing the earth about the roots of the vine, &c. (Virg. G. ii. 355. 400. Tibull. ii. 3. 6. Columell. iv. 17. 8.) The example (Bidens/1.1) is from an engraved gem, which represents Saturn in the character of an agricultural slave, in allusion to the Saturnalian festival.

2. As an adjective, it is descriptive of things which are formed with two prongs, blades, or teeth; as forfex or ferrum bidens (Virg. Cat. 8. Id. Cir. 213.); a pair of shears (cut of FORFEX); bidens ancora (Plin. vii. 57.), an anchor with a double fluke, for in early times they were only made with a single one. Cut of ANCORA.

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  Bidens/1.1