I.A.. Oats; and specif., common oats, Gr. βρόμος: Avena sativa, Linn.; Verg. G. 1, 77; Col. 2, 10, 32; Hor. S. 2, 6, 84.—
B. Wild or barren oats, a weed, Gr. αἰγίλωψ: Avena fatua, Linn.; Cato, R. R. 37, 4; Cic. Fin. 5, 30, 91; Serv. ad Verg. G. 1, 154; Plin. 18, 17, 44, § 149.—
II. In gen.
A. Any stem or stalk of grass or grain, a straw, etc.: (linum) tam gracili avenā. Plin. 19, 1, 1, § 5; 24, 18, 103, § 168.—Used for a shepherd's pipe, Ov. M. 8, 192.—
B. Poet., a shepherd's pipe, reed-pipe: “Silvestrem tenui Musam meditaris avenā,” Verg. E. 1, 2: “perlucenti cantus meditabar avenā,” Tib. 3, 4, 71: “est modulatus avenā Carmen,” id. 2, 1, 53: pastor junctis pice cantat avenis, Ov. Tr. 5, 10, 25: “et structis cantat avenis,” id. M. 1, 677: “Angustā cantare licet videaris avenā, Dum tua multorum vincat avena tubas,” Mart. 8, 3 fin.
