anything which joins two bodies; and so,
I.the yoke or cross-bar tied by the ζυγόδεσμον to the end of the pole, and having ζεῦγλαι (collars or loops) at each end, by which two horses, mules or oxen drew the plough or carriage, Hom., etc.:—metaph., τὸ δούλιον ζ. the yoke of slavery, Hdt.; δουλείας, ἀνάγκης ζ. Soph., Eur.; ἐπιτιθέναι τινὶ ζυγὰ τοῦ μὴ . . , so as to prevent . . , Xen.
II.the cross-bar joining the horns of the φόρμιγξ, along which the strings were fastened, Il.
III.in pl. the thwarts joining the opposite sides of a ship or boat, the benches, Lat. transtra, Od., Hdt.; in sg., Soph.:—metaph., τὸ πόλεος ζ. Eur.
2.the middle of the three banks in a trireme; metaph., οἱ ἐπὶ ζυγῷ δορός those on the upper bench, Aesch.
IV.the beam of the balance, Dem.: — the balance itself, Plat.
VI.a rank or line of soldiers, opp. to a file, Thuc.
