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ἀστράγαλος Deriv. uncertain.

I.one of the neck-vertebrae, Hom.
II.the ball of the ankle joint, Lat. talus, Hdt., Theocr.
III.pl. ἀστράγαλοι, dice or agame played with dice, Il., Hdt.:—they were at first made of knuckle-bones, and never had more than four flat sides, whereas the κύβοι had six. They played with four: the best throw (βόλος), when each die came differently, was called Ἀφροδίτη, Lat. jactus Veneris; the worst, when all came alike, κύων, Lat. canis.

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