I.a beast for sacrifice adorned with the fillet (vitta), a sacrifice, victim (cf. hostia).
I. Lit., Plaut. Ps. 1, 3, 93; Hor. C. 3, 23, 12; Verg. G. 2, 147; Cic. Att. 1, 13, 1; Caes. B. G. 6, 16; Liv. 45, 7, 1; Ov. M. 7, 162; id. F. 1, 335; Juv. 12, 113; Luc. 1, 611; Sen. Herc. Fur. 923 al.—
II. Trop., a victim: “quam potestis P. Lentulo mactare victimam gratiorem quam si L. Flacci sanguine illius nefarium in nos omnes odium saturaveritis?” Cic. Fl. 38, 95: se victimam rei publicae praebere, id. Fin. 2, 19, 61: “victima deceptus decipientis ero,” Ov. Am. 3, 3, 22: “me nuptiali victimam feriat die,” Sen. Herc. Oet. 348.