RA´DIUS
RA´DIUS
1. A straight pointed rod used by geometricians and astronomers for
describing figures on their abacus, a table covered with sand. (
Cic. Tusc. 5.23, 64, “a
pulvere et radio,” of Archimedes; cf.
Cic. N. D. 2.1. 8, 48, “eruditum illum
pulverem,” of geometry; Pers. 1.131;
Aristoph. Cl. 177.) In
Verg. Ecl.
3.41,
Aen. 6.850, it is probably the actual rod (as
above) used for the actual drawing of terrestrial and celestial globes on
the abacus, rather than, as Conington says, a mere “phrase for
scientific delineation.” [See also
ABACUS III.
a.]
2. Used in weaving. [
TELA]
3. Of a wheel. [
CURRUS]
[
G.E.M]