Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Lemniscus

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

LEMNIS'CUS (λημνίσκος). A sort of fillet or riband distributed as a reward of honour; sometimes by itself (Liv. xxxiii. 33. Suet. Nero, 25.), but more commonly as a decoration to be fastened upon other prizes; such as military crowns (Festus, s. v.), palm branches (Auson. Epist. xx. 6.), &c., which were considered more honourable when accompanied with a lemniscus, than when they were simply given by themselves. Originally it was made out of the thin membrane lying between the bark and wood of the lime tree (Plin. H. N. xvi. 25.); afterwards of wool dyed of different colours (Festus, s. v. Serv. ad Aen. v. 269.); and finally of gold and silver tinsel. (Plin. H. N. xxi. 4.) The illustration (Lemniscus/1.1) represents a figure of Victory, from a painting in the pyramid of C. Cestius, holding a simple lemniscus in her left hand, and a corona lemniscata in the other.

2. A bandage of lint steeped in lotion for applying to wounds. Celsus, vii. 28. Veg. Vet. ii. 14.

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  Lemniscus/1.1