Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Chele

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

CHE'LE (χηλή). Properly, a Greek word, which signifies a cloven foot; a pair of crooked and serrated claws, like those of a crab; the talons of a bird; or the claw of a wild beast; whence in that language, it is employed to designate several different instruments, possessing in their forms or manner of usage a resemblance to any one of these natural objects: as a netting needle; a breakwater to protect the mouth of a harbour, when made in the form of a claw set open (see the plan of the port at Ostia, s. PORTUS, letter K); a pair of pincers or pliers, with bent arms like claws, &c. By the Romans, for a similar reason, the same name is given to a particular part of some military engines, such as the ballista and scorpio, which was a sort of claw, or nipper, made to open and seize upon the trigger or chord of the machine whilst it was being drawn back to produce the rebound which discharged the missile. Vitruv. x. 11. 7. Id. x. 10. 4.