previous next
oestrus , i, m., = οἶστρος.
I. Lit., a gad-fly, horse-fly, breese (pure Lat. asilus): “volitans, cui nomen asilo Romanum est, oestrum Graii vertere vocantes,” Verg. G. 3, 148: “nascuntur in extremis favis apes grandiores, quae ceteras fugant: oestrus vocatur hoc malum,” Plin. 11, 16, 16, § 47.—
II. Transf., frenzy of a prophet or poet, inspiration, enthusiasm (in post-Aug. poets), Stat. Th. 1, 32; Nemes. Cyneg. 3; Juv. 4, 123; cf.: oestrum furor Graeco vocabulo, Paul. ex Fest. p. 195 Müll.
A Latin Dictionary. Founded on Andrews' edition of Freund's Latin dictionary. revised, enlarged, and in great part rewritten by. Charlton T. Lewis, Ph.D. and. Charles Short, LL.D. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1879.

The National Endowment for the Humanities provided support for entering this text.

hide Dictionary Entry Lookup
Use this tool to search for dictionary entries in all lexica.
Search for in
hide References (3 total)
  • Cross-references in general dictionaries from this page (3):
    • Vergil, Georgics, 3.148
    • Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia, 11.47
    • Statius, Thebias, 1
hide Display Preferences
Greek Display:
Arabic Display:
View by Default:
Browse Bar: