Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Modiolus

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. 

MOD'IOLUS. Diminutive of MODIUS; whence specially applied to various objects possessing a resemblance in form to the modius; as

1. (χνόη, χοινίκη, χοινικίς, πλήμνη). The box or nave of a wheel, into which the spokes (radii) and axle (axis) are inserted (Plin. H. N. ix. 3. Vitruv. x. 9. 2.); whence also applied to the axle itself (Soph. Electr. 745. and Varro, R. R. xx. xxi.) of the axles which suspend the wheels (orbes) in an oil mill (trapetum). The illustration (Modiolus/1.1) represents an ancient wheel, preserved in the museum of Prince Esterhazy at Vienna. The second and third of the Greek names bracketed imply that the principal dry measures of the Greeks and Roman (χοῖνιξ and modius) were of the same form, if they differed in capacity.

2. A box, bucket, or scoop, in the shape of a modius affixed to the outer circumference of a water wheel, which fills itself with water, and discharges the contents into a receiver as the wheel revolves. (Vitruv. x. 5.) Sometimes wooden boxes were employed for the purpose, at others jars; and the Chinese make use of a joint of bamboo. See the illustration s. Rota aquaria; which will explain their application and object.

3. A particular part of the catapulta and ballista (Vitruv. x. 12. 1); supposed to be a box or cap, which contained the rope; but as the exact manner in which these machines were constructed is involved in doubt and obscurity, an authorized definition is not attainable.

4. (πυχίς, Hero de Spirit. p. 180.). The box or cylinder in which the piston and sucker of a forcing pump acts (Vitruv. x. 7.); marked B B respectively on the wood-cuts s. CTESIBICA MACHINA and SIPHO.

5. (χοινίκη). A surgical instrument, like a trepan, for cutting out parts of bones, consisting of a cylindrical borer, with serrated sides. Cels. viii. 3.

6. A small drinking goblet. Scaev. Dig. 34. 2. 37.

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  Modiolus/1.1