I.a pond in which fish are kept, a fish-pond.
I. Lit.: “piscinarum genera sunt duo, dulcium et salsarum,” Varr. R. R. 3, 17, 2; 3, 3, 2; 5; 10; Col. 1, 6, 21; 8, 17: “in piscinam rete qui parat,” Plaut. Truc. 1, 1, 12; Cic. Par. 5, 2, 38; id. Att. 2, 1, 7.—Esp.,
2. Piscina publica, the public fish-pond at the Porta Capena: “praetores tribunalia ad Piscinam publicam posuerunt,” Liv. 23, 32, 4; cf. Fest. infra, II. A. —
II. Transf. (post-Aug.).
A. A pond for bathing or swimming, whether of warm or cold water; a basin, pool, Plin. Ep. 5, 6, 23: “cohaeret calida piscina, ex quā natantes mare aspiciunt,” id. ib. 2, 17, 11; Sen. Ep. 86, 5; Suet. Ner. 27; Lampr. Elag. 19; “piscinam peto, non licet natare,” Mart. 3, 44, 13; Vulg. Cant. 7, 4; id. Johan. 5, 2: “piscinae publicae hodieque nomen manet, ipsa non exstat, ad quam et natatum et exercitationis alioqui causā veniebat populus,” Fest. p. 213 Müll.—Of a pond where cattle might bathe and drink: “piscinae pecoribus instruantur,” Col. 1, 5, 2; 1, 6, 21.—
B. A flood-gate, sluice, lock, Plin. 3, 5, 9, § 53.—
C. A cistern, tank, reservoir: “piscinae ligneae,” Plin. 34, 12, 32, § 123: “Probatica piscina,” Vulg. Johan. 5, 2.
