I.“a vocative SAXE,” Inscr. Orell. 2982), i, n. root sak-; Sanscr. ska; cf. secare, any large, rough stone; a detached fragment of rock; a rock (in gen.; whereas rupes is a steep rock, crag, cliff).
I. In gen., Lucr. 4, 266 sq.; cf. id. 1, 882: “non est e saxo sculptus,” Cic. Ac. 2, 31, 100: pars ludicre saxa Jactant, inter se licitantur, Enn. ap. Non. 134, 13 (Ann. v. 76 Vahl.): “(Sisyphum) adverso nixantem trudere monte Saxum, etc.,” Lucr. 3, 1001: “miser impendens magnum timet aëre saxum Tantalus,” id. 3, 980: saxo cere comminuit brum, Enn. ap. Serv. Verg. A. 1, 412 (Ann. v. 586 Vahl.); cf.: “si glebis aut saxis aut fustibus aliquem de fundo praecipitem egeris,” Cic. Caecin.21,60: “magni ponderis saxa, in muro collocare,” Caes. B. G. 2, 29; cf. id. ib. 7, 22 fin.; 7, 23; 7, 46: (Thyestes) summis saxis fixus asperis, Enn. ap. Cic. Tusc. 1, 44, 107 (Trag. v. 413 Vahl.); cf.: “aspicite religatum asperis Vinctumque saxis (Prometheum), Cic. poët. Tusc. 2, 10, 23: speluncas saxis pendentibu' structas,” Lucr. 6, 195; cf.“, of the cave of Cacus: jam primum saxis suspensam hanc aspice rupem,” Verg. A. 8, 190: “tot congesta manu praeruptis oppida saxis,” id. G. 2, 156: “inter saxa rupesque,” Liv. 21, 40: saxa spargens tabo, Enn. ap. Cic. Tusc. 1, 44, 107 (Trag. v. 414 Vahl.): “vesco sale saxa peresa,” Lucr. 1, 326: “nec turbida ponti Aequora fligebant naves ad saxa,” id. 5, 1001: “si ad saxum quo capessit,” Plaut. Rud. 1, 2, 89 et saep.: “lapis non saxum est,” Plin. 36, 22, 49, § 169.—In apposition: “in saxis silicibus uberiores aquae sunt,” in limestone rocks, Vitr. 8, 1.—
2. Prov.
a. Saxum volvere, i. e. to strive or endeavor in vain (alluding to the stone of Sisyphus): “satis diu hoc jam saxum volvo,” Ter. Eun. 5, 8, 55.—
b. Inter sacrum saxumque stare; v. sacrum, A. 2. b.—
II. In partic.
A. For Saxum Tarpejum (cf. Fest. p. 343 Müll. and v. Tarpejus, II.), the Tarpeian Rock: “horribilis de saxo jactus,” Lucr. 3, 1016; Plaut. Trin. 2, 1, 31; Cic. Att. 14, 16, 2; Hor. S. 1, 6, 39; Tac. A. 2, 32; 4, 29; Dig. 48, 19, 25; v. Tarpeius.—
B. Saxum sacrum, the sacred rock on the Aventine, at which Remus consulted the auspices, Cic. Dom. 53, 136; “called saxum alone,” Ov. F. 5, 150.—
C. A superior kind of Cimolian chalk (creta Cimolia), Plin. 35, 17, 57, § 196.—
D. Saxa Rubra; v. ruber, II. B.—
III. Transf.
1. Plur.: saxa, stony ground, rocky places: “mitis in apricis coquitur vindemia saxis,” Verg. G. 2, 522: “Ligurum,” Mart. 3, 82, 22.—
2. A stone wall: “Romulus saxo lucum circumdedit alto,” Ov. F. 3, 431.—
3. The strong foundation of a building: “Capitolium quadrato saxo substructum,” Liv. 6, 4, 12.