I.a small pan or dish, a plate; a vessel used in cooking, and also to serve up food in.
I. Lit., Varr. ap. Prisc. p. 681 P.: patella esurienti posita, id. ap. Non. 543, 33; Hor. Ep. 1, 5, 2; Mart. 5, 78, 7; Juv. 10, 64: “sinapi in patellis decoctum,” Plin. 19, 8, 54, § 171: “cicadae tostae in patellis,” id. 30, 8, 21, § 68.—
B. In partic., a vessel used in sacrifices, an offering - dish: patellae vasula parva picata sacris faciendis apta, Fest. pp. 248 and 249 Müll.: oportet bonum civem legibus parere et deos colere, in patellam dare, μικρον κρεας, Varr. ap. Non. 544; Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 21, § 46: “edere de patellā, of sacrilegious persons,” id. Fin. 2, 7, 22 Madv. ad loc.; Liv. 26, 36; Ov. F. 6, 310; 2, 634; Pers. 3, 26; Val. Max. 4, 4, 3 al.—
II. Transf.
A. The kneepan, patella, Cels. 8, 1 fin.; 8, 21.—
B. A disease of the olive-tree, Plin. 17, 24. 37, § 223
