I.an invoking of evil, imprecation (postAug.): “exsecraris illum et caput sanctum tibi dira imprecatione defigis,” curse, Sen. Ben. 6, 35, 1; id. Ep. 94, 52: “imprecationes nefariae,” Amm. 29, 1, 25: “dira,” Plin. 5, 8, 8, § 45.—
II. In late Lat., in a good sense, a prayer: “pontificis,” Hier. Ep. 130, n. 2.