Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Circinus

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

CIR'CINUS (διαβήτης). A pair of compasses, employed by carpenters, architects, masons, and sculptors, for describing circles, measuring distances, or taking the thickness of solids. (Caes. B. G. i. 38. Vitruv. iix. 8. 2.) The illustration (Circinus/1.1) represents three sorts of compasses, similar to those still in use; on the right a pair of proportional compasses, on the left a pair of callipers, and a small common compass in the centre, all copied from originals found at Pompeii.

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  Circinus/1.1