I. Lit., a skin, hide (post-class. and rare): “pellem antiqui dicebant scortum,” Varr. L. L. 7, § 84 Müll.: “jam Omphale in Herculis scorto designata descripsit,” Tert. Pall. 4 med.—
II. Transf., a harlot, strumpet, prostitute (freq. and class.): scorta appellantur meretrices, quia ut pelliculae subiguntur. Omnia namque ex pellibus facta scortea appellantur, Fest. pp. 330 and 331 Müll.—Sing., Plaut. Am. 1, 1, 132; id. As. 4, 2, 5; 5, 2, 17; 5, 2, 79 et saep.; Ter. Eun. 3, 1, 34; id. Ad. 5, 9, 8; Hor. C. 2, 11, 21; id. Ep. 1, 18, 34; Tib. 4, 10, 4.—Plur., Plaut. Bacch. 4, 4, 91; id. Pers. 3, 3, 14; id. Truc. 1, 1, 43 sq. et saep.; Cic. Mil. 21, 55; id. Cat. 2, 5, 10 al.—Of a male prostitute, Plaut. Curc. 4, 1, 12; Cic. Sest. 17, 39; id. Phil. 2, 18, 44; Petr. 9, 6; 119, 25; “so also, virile,” Aur. Vict. Caes. 28.—And with a masc. pron.: “scortum exoletum ne quis in proscenio Sedeat,” Plaut. Poen. prol. 17 (cf. senium, II. A.).—Also = pellex, a mistress, concubine, Plaut. Cas. Grex, 5 and 7.
