Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Sportula

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. 

SPOR'TULA (σπυρίδιον). Diminutive of SPORTA; a small fishing-basket (Plaut. Stich. ii. 2. 16. Apul. Met. 1. p. 19.), like the preceding example. It would appear that baskets of this description were also employed for handing round certain kinds of eatables at table; whence the term was adopted to signify a dole, consisting of a small basket of provisions, given by great personages to their clients and retainers, as a substantial return for the court paid to them, when they assembled at the great man's door to make their daily compliments. Latterly, as manners grew more refined and morals less so, the dole of provisions was commuted for a sum of money; whence a gift or present of any kind was also termed a sportula. Juv. iii. 294. Mart. xiv. 125. Plin. Ep. ii. 14. 4.