Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Corvus

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

CORVUS (κόραξ). The name given to several machines employed in naval and military operations, and in the attack or defence of fortified places; each of which was so called either from its resemblance in form to the raven's beak, or from the manner of its application, like the raven darting down, and carrying off its prey; consequently, the word may be translated as a crane, a grappling-iron, a crow-bar, as best suits the context in the passages where it occurs. Quin. Curt. iv. 2. Id. iv. 4. Vitruv. x. 19.

2. A cutting instrument used in surgical operations, because the blade was shaped like a raven's beak. Celsus, vii. 19.