Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Palaestricus

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. 

PALAES'TRICUS (παλαιστρικός). In a general sense, one who is skilled in, or addicted to, the exercises of the palaestra. (Quint. i. 11. 15.) But the same name was more frequently used in a special sense, to designate a person who acted in a capacity something between our drill master and dancing master, whose particular province it was to teach the young men of Greece and Italy how to avoid awkwardness or rusticity of manner, to acquire an elegant deportment and graceful carriage, as well as ease and propriety of attitude and gesture (Quint. i. 11. 16. Id. ii. 8. 7. Id. xii. 2. 12.); for, amongst the Greeks more especially, who were devoted admirers of the beautiful under every form and combination, grace was regarded as an essential requisite, even in the violent contests of the palaestra; hence palaestrici motus (Cic. Off. i. 36.) mean the motions and gestures acquired from these masters, which Cicero very properly condemns when carried to excess, or, as we should say, savouring of the dancing master.