I.a being prepared or equipped for battle, readiness for action: procinctum, ῞οταν εἰς πόλεμον συγκαλέσωνται, Gloss. Philox.: “oratorem armatum semper ac velut in procinctu stantem,” Quint. 12, 9, 21; cf. id. 10, 1, 2: “neque in procinctu et castris habitos,” Tac. H. 3, 2: “in procinctu bellorum excubare,” Plin. 6, 19, 22, § 66: testamentum facere in procinctu, to make one's will on the battle-field (one of the three ways of making a will), Cic. de Or. 1, 53, 228; id. N. D. 2, 3, 9; Gell. 15, 27, 2 sq.; Gai. Inst. 2, 101; Just. Inst. 2, 10.—Prov.: in procinctu habere aliquid, to have a thing ready or at hand: “severitatem abditam, clementiam in procinctu habeo,” Sen. Clem. 1, 1, 4; cf.: “nisi in procinctu paratamque ad omnes casus habuerit eloquentiam,” Quint. 10, 1, 2. —
II. Transf., a military enterprise (late Lat.): et Lentiensibus indictum est bellum; “ad quem procinctum imperator egressus,” Amm. 15, 4, 1; 15, 9, 1.—