I.v. infra), i, n. Sanscr. plavas, ship; prop., that which sways hither and thither; root plu-; Gr. πλέω, πλύνω, a vehicle for carrying heavy loads, a wagon, wain, cart.
I. Lit. (class.): “vendat plostrum vetus,” Cato, R. R. 2, 7; Plaut. Aul. 3, 5, 31: “in plaustrum conici,” Cic. Div. 1, 27, 57: “stridentia plaustra,” Ov. Tr. 3, 10, 59; id. M. 2, 177: “sicut stridet plaustrum onustum foeno,” Vulg. Amos, 2, 13: “tecta,” id. Num. 7, 3.—Prov.: “plaustrum perculi,” I have upset! I am done for! Plaut. Ep. 4, 2, 22.—
II. Transf., the constellation Charles's Wain, the Great Bear (poet.): “flexerat obliquo plaustrum temone Bootes,” Ov. M. 10, 447; id. P. 4, 10, 39; Amm. 15, 10, 2 (called plaustra Parrhasis, Sid. Carm. 5, 282 sq.).