I.a digger, delver, ditcher.
I. Lit.
A. In gen. (poet. and in post-Aug. prose): “et labefacta movens robustus jugera fossor,” Verg. G. 2, 264: “squalidus in magna compede fossor,” Juv. 11, 80; Hor. C. 3, 18, 15; Mart. 7, 71, 4; Col. 11, 2, 38: “ceu septa novus jam moenia laxet Fossor,” i. e. a miner, sapper, Stat. Th. 2, 419.—
B. In partic.
1. A miner, workman in a mine, Vitr. 7, 8, 1; Calp. Ecl. 4, 118 (cf. aurifossor).—
2. In late Lat., a grave-digger, Inscr. Orell. 4925 al.; cf. fossa, I. B. 3.—
3. In mal. part., a fornicator, Aus. Ep. 49; cf. fossa, I. B. 4.—
II. Transf., in gen., in a contemptuous signif., a common laborer, a clown, Cat. 22, 10: “cum sis cetera fossor,” Pers. 5, 122.