Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Multicius

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. 

MULTIC'IUS, MULTITIC'IUS or MULTIT'IUS. Used to designate some particular kind of fabric, either of a very ingenious, or costly, or fine texture, out of which the wearing apparel of women, and men of luxurious or effeminate habits, was made. The precise meaning of the word is not clearly ascertained. Some derive it from multum and icio, and interpret it to mean "closely condensed" by the batten (radius, spatha), which is contrary to the character of transparency attributed to it; others from mollitie (a mulcendo), in allusion to the softness of its texture; and others from multis liciis, i. e. which is made with many leashes (licia), thus indicating an intricate and elaborate pattern woven up in the fabric; which seems to be the most rational interpretation. Juv. ii. 66. xi. 186. Valerian. Aug. in Ep. ad Vopisc. Aurel. 12. Gloss. Philox.