Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Colum

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

CO'LUM (ἠθμός). A colander, or strainer made of basket-work, bullrushes, bast, or osiers (Cato, R. R. xi. 2. Columell. xi. 2. 70. Id. xii. 19. 4.), and in the form of an inverted cone, through which new made wine and oil (Columell. xii. 38. 7. Scrib. Comp. 156.), was passed after it had been squeezed out by the press beam. (Virg. Georg. ii. 242.) The example (Colum/1.1) introduced is from a Roman bas-relief, representing various processes connected with the vintage.

2. Colum nivarium. A wine strainer made of metal, for cooling, diluting, and mixing the wine with snow at table. (Mart. Ep. xiv. 103.) It was used in the following manner. A lump of frozen snow being deposited in the strainer, and the strainer being placed upon the drinking cup, the wine was then poured upon the snow, with which it mixed itself, and filtered into the cup, through the perforations of the strainer, free from any sediment or impurities. The example (Colum/2.1) represents an original of bronze discovered in Pompeii.

3. A basket for catching fish, like an eel or prawn basket; so termed, because when taken up, the water drains out of it, leaving the fish at the bottom, like the dregs in a strainer. Auson. Ep. iv. 57. Compare NASSA.

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  Colum/1.1
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  Colum/2.1