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pītŭīta (sometimes in the poets scan. as a trisyl., Hor. S. 2, 2, 76; id. Ep. 1, 1, 108; Pers. 2, 57; cf. Santen on Ter. Maur. p. 430), ae, f. root pitu- for sputu-, from spu- of spuo, sputum; cf. Gr. πτύω, to spit,
I.slime, clammy moisture.
I. In the body, as diseased matter, phlegm, rheum, pituite; in fowls, the pip: “cum sanguis corruptus est aut pituita redundat,” Cic. Tusc. 4, 10, 23: “capitis,” Plin. 25, 11, 90, § 141: “oris,” id. 23, 1, 13, § 17: “tantum bilis pituitaeque,” Cato, R. R. 156, 4: “adversus acutas pituitae fluxiones, quas Graeci rheumatismos vocant,” Plin. 22, 25, 68, § 138: “mala pituita nasi,” Cat. 23, 17: “stomacho tumultum Lenta feret pituita,” Hor. S. 2, 2, 76: “praecipue sanus, nisi cum pituita molesta est,” id. Ep. 1, 1, 108; Sen. Q. N. 6, 2, 4.—Of the pip, Col. 8, 5, 22; Plin. 10, 57, 78, § 157; Pall. 1, 27.—
II. A viscous, gummy moisture that exudes from trees, Plin. 17, 27, 43, § 252: “fungorum origo non nisi ex pituitā arborum,” id. 22, 23, 47, § 96.
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.

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  • Cross-references in general dictionaries from this page (5):
    • Horace, Satires, 2.2.76
    • Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia, 23.17
    • Cicero, Tusculanae Disputationes, 4.10
    • Persius, Saturae, 2
    • Columella, Res Rustica, 8.5.22
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