Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Spatha

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. 

SPATH'A (σπάθη). A batten; a flat wooden instrument used in weaving, for the purpose of driving home the threads of the woof or tram (subtemen, trama) so as to knit the whole closely and compactly together (Senec. Ep. 90.); probably similar to the instrument still employed for the same object in Iceland, where the manner of weaving is extremely primitive, and which is represented by the figure annexed (Spatha/1.1).

2. A broad and flat wooden spatula, employed for stirring, mashing, and mixing medicines or other ingredients. Columell. xii. 41. 3. Plin. H. N. xxxiv. 26. Celsus, vii. 12.

3. A large, broad, and long, two-edged sword, with a sharp acuminated point (Veg. Mil. ii. 15. Tac. Ann. xii. 35. Apul. Met. i. p. 3.); as shown by the annexed example (Spatha/3.1) from the sarcophagus of Alexander Severus. In length it reaches from the ground to the top of the wearer's hip.

4. A wooden implement employed by surgeons in replacing a dislocated shoulder. Celsus, viii. 15.

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  Spatha/1.1
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  Spatha/3.1