I. A bivālve shell-fish, mussel, Plaut. Rud. 2, 1, 8; 2, 1, 15; Lucr. 2, 374; Verg. G. 2, 348; Plin. 9, 33, 52, § 102: “legere,” Cic. de Or. 2, 6, 22; Suet. Calig. 46: “cavae,” Ov. M. 4, 725: “marinae,” id. ib. 15, 264: “viles,” Hor. S. 2, 4, 28: “unionum,” Suet. Ner. 31.—
B. In partic.
1. A pearl-oyster, Plin. 9, 35, 54, § 107 sq.— Hence,
b. Meton., a pearl: “lucida,” Tib. 2, 4, 30; cf. Prop. 3 (4), 13, 6; Ov. M. 10, 260; id. Am. 2, 11, 13.—
2. The purple-fish, Lucr. 2, 501; Ov. M. 10, 267.—
II. A mussel-shell, Lucr. 4, 937; Cic. N. D. 2, 48, 123: “ostrea in conchis suis,” Ov. F. 6, 174.—Hence,
B. Meton.
1. A snail-shell, Col. poët. 10, 324.—
b. The Triton's trumpet, in form like a snail-shell, Verg. A. 10, 209; Ov. M. 1, 333; Plin. 9, 5, 4, § 9; the trumpet of Misenus, Verg. A. 6, 171.—
2. Of objects in the form of a mussel-shell.
a. A vessel for holding oil, unguents, salt, etc., Cato, R. R. 13, 2; Col. 12, 50, 8; Hor. C. 2, 7, 23; id. S. 1, 3, 14 al.—
b. = cunnus, Plaut. Rud. 3, 3, 42; Fulg. Myth. 2, 4.
