A.crab, Epich.53, Hellanic.103 J., S.Ichn.298, Ar. Eq.608, Pl.Euthd.297c, Batr.299; “κ. ποδήνεμοι” Crates Com.29.3: various species distinguished, Arist.HA525a34, cf. 601a17, al.: prov., “οὔποτε ποιήσεις τὸν καρκίνον ὀρθὰ βαδίζειν” Ar.Pax1083; εἴς μ᾽ ὁρεῦσα καρκίνου μέζον 'with saucer-eyes', Herod.4.44.
IV. from like ness of shape to crab's claws,
1. pair of pincers, Aen.Tact.20.3, 32.5, IG11(2).165.11 (Delos, iii B.C.), AP6.92 (Phil.), Ath.10.456d; “κ. σιδηροῦς” POxy.521.14 (ii A.D.); used as an instrument of torture, D.S.20.71: in Surgery, forceps, “κ. ἰατρικός” IG22.47.16: metaph., λήψεται τὸν τράχηλον ἐντόνως ὁ κ. E.Cyc.609.
2. = ζυγώματα, bones of the temples, Poll.2.85.
3. a kind of shoe, Pherecr.178.
4. a kind of bandage, Heliod. ap. Orib.48.54 tit., Gal.18(1).777.
5. pair of compasses, Ph.Bel.55.25, Ph.2.192, Gal.Opt.Doctr.3, S.E.M. 10.54: heterocl. pl., “καρκίνα σπειροῦχα” AP6.295.5 (Phan.).
6. still, implied in “καρκινοειδής” 11 (q. v.).
V. pr. n. of Attic tragedian, hence prov., Καρκίνου ποιήματα, = τὰ αἰνιγματώδη, Men.525; Megarian pr. n. Κερκίνος SIG201.12 (iv B.C.). (Cf. Lat. cancer, Skt. karka[tnull ]as 'crab'.)