I.that by which something is taken hold of, a handle, haft; of a vessel, pitcher, vase, and the like.
I. Lit., Cato, R. R. 113; Verg. E. 3, 45; 6, 17; Ov. M. 8, 653; id. H. 16, 252; Mart. 14, 106 al.—Of other things, e. g. of an iron handle of a door: “ansa ostii,” Petr. 96.—Of the loop on the edge of a sandal, through which the shoetie was drawn, Plin. 35, 10, 36, § 12; so Tib. 1, 8, 14.—Of the handle of the rudder, the tiller, Vitr. 10, 8.—Of the cheeks of a balance in which the lever moves, Vitr. 10, 8.— In architecture, the cramp-iron or brace which holds several stones together, Vitr. 2, 8; Prop. 5, 1, 142.—
II. Trop., as also the Gr. λαβή, handle, occasion, opportunity (rare, and in the class. per. only in Cic.): “illum quaerere ansam, infectum ut faciat?” Plaut. Pers. 4, 4, 119: “reprehensionis ansa,” Cic. Planc. 34: “controversiarum,” id. Caecin. 6 fin.: “ansas sermonis dare,” id. Sest. 10: “sibi tamquam ansas ad reprehendendum dare,” id. Am. 16, 59: “alicui lucrandi ansam offerre,” Amm. 28, 1.