Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Patibulum

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. 

PATIB'ULUM. An instrument of punishment made in the shape of a fork, to be placed upon the neck of slaves and criminals, with the two prongs projecting in front, to which their hands were tied up, and in that condition flogged through the city. (Plaut. Mil. ii. 4. 7.) The illustration s. FURCA, 5. will afford a clear notion of the contrivance in question, although it is there used only as a machine for carrying burdens.

2. A cross or gallows; probably in the shape of the letter X, forming a double furca, like that on which St. Peter was crucified. Sallust. Fragm. ap. Non. s. v. p. 366. Senec. Cons. ad Marc. 20. Apul. Met. vi. pp. 130, 131.

3. A fastening for a door, probably made with two prongs to fit into a hasp. Titinn. ap. Non. l. c.

4. A wooden peg, with two prongs for fastening down the layers of a vine. Plin. H. N. xvii. 35. § 27.