I.a pole, a long staff.
I. In gen.: “perticam habere ... quī verberarem asinos,” Plaut. As. 3, 2, 43: “pertica suspensos portabat longa maniplos,” Ov. F. 3, 117; cf. id. Nuc. 68: “perticis oleas decutere,” Plin. 15, 3, 3, § 11: “messis perticis flagellatur,” id. 18, 30, 72, § 298; 16, 37, 68, § 174: “perticae, quibus araneae deterguntur,” Dig. 33, 7, 12: “pertica quā stabuli fores oflirmari solebant,” App. M. 7, 28, p. 200.—
II. In partic.
A. A set, slip, young tree; of willows, Plin. 17, 20, 32, § 141.—
B. A measuring-rod, with which the grants of land were measured out to the soldiers; a pole, perch (usually called decempeda): “abstulit excultas pertica tristis opes,” Prop. 4 (5), 1, 130. Val. Cato, Dir. 45; cf. Serv. Verg. Ecl. 9, 7.—
b. Transf., a portion of land measured out with the pertica: “quodcumque coloniae est assignatum, id universum pertica appellatur,” Front. Limit. Agr. p. 43 Goes.—
