A.a triangular musical instrument with four strings, Arist.Pol.1341b1, Neanth.5 J., Juba 73; of barbaric origin, Str.10.3.17. (Aramaic sabbekhā (perh. not Semitic), with m inserted, as in Ἀμβακούμ = Habakkuk. etc.).
II. an engine of like form used in sieges, Id.8.4.8, al., Bito 57.1, Plu.Marc.15, Ath.Mech.27.7, App.Mith.26.—Cf. σάμβυξ. [Penult. long in sambūca, Pers.5.95.]