I.a pair of shears or scissors: “forfices sunt quibus incidimus: forcipes quibus aliquid firmum tenemus,” Serv. ad Verg. A. 8, 453: “vitiosa grana (in uva), forficibus amputant,” Col. 12, 44, 4; Cels. 7, 21, 1: “qualem (barbam) forficibus metit supinis Tonsor,” Mart. 7, 95, 12; cf. Vitr. 10, 2, 2.—
II. Transf.
A. A claw of a crab: “cancris bina brachia denticulatis forficibus,” Plin. 9, 31, 51, § 97; “of a locust,” id. 32, 11, 53, § 148; “of a beetle,” id. 11, 28, 34, § 97.—
B. Perh., a kind of battle-array, v. forceps, II.