Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Numella

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. 

NUMEL'LA and NUMEL'LUS. A contrivance devised for the purpose of keeping men and animals in a fixed position without the power of motion, while under the infliction of punishment (Non. s. v. p. 144. Plaut. As. iii. 2. 5.), the operations of the veterinary (Columell. vi. 19. 2.), or any process for which steadiness of posture was deemed requisite. (Id. vii. 8. 6.) It was made like a pair of stocks for the neck, with two boards or bars sliding in grooves against the sides of two strong uprights, so as to open and shut at pleasure, which allowed the head to pass between them, and when closed, acted as a grip round the neck. (Columell. vi. 19. 2.) The legs were then picketted by thongs round the ankles, or fetlocks, if necessary. Festus. s. v.