I. In economic lang., of or belonging to giving out, distributing. cella, a store-room, larder, Tert. Res. Carn. 27.—
II. Subst.: prō-mus , i, m., a giver out, distributor of provisions (opp. condus, the keeper of them); “and hence, in gen.,” a cellarer, steward, butler, Plaut. Poen. 3, 4, 6; id. Ps. 2, 2, 14: “foris est promus,” Hor. S. 2, 2, 16; Varr. R. R. 1, 16, 5; Col. 12, 3, 9; Aus. Ep. 22, 20.—
B. Transf.: “librorum,” he who gives out books from a library, a librarian, App. Mag. p. 308, 17: ego meo sum promus pectori, I keep the key of my own breast, i. e. I guard my heart against evil, Plaut. Trin. 1, 2, 44.