I. Lit., a drinking-vessel, a cup, goblet, bowl, beaker (class.; “syn.: calix, cyathus): et nobis idem Alcimedon duo pocula fecit, Verg. E: 3, 44: poculum grande,” Plaut. Curc. 2, 3, 89: “magnis poculis aliquem invitare,” id. Rud. 2, 3, 32: “exhaurire poculum,” to empty, Cic. Clu. 11, 31; so, “ducere,” Hor. C. 1, 17, 21: “siccare,” Petr. 92: “poscunt majoribus poculis (sc. bibere),” out of goblets, Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 26, § 66: “stans extra poculum caper,” i.e. in relief, Juv. 1, 76; cf. id. 5, 43.—Prov.: “eodem poculo bibere,” i. e. to undergo the same sufferings, Plaut. Cas. 5, 2, 52.—
II. Transf.
A. A drink, draught, potion (mostly poet.): “si semel poculum amoris accepit meri,” Plaut. Truc. 1, 1, 22: “salsa pocula,” sea-water, id. Rud. 2, 7, 31: “pocula sunt fontes liquidi,” Verg. G. 3, 529: “amoris poculum,” i. e. a philter, Hor. Epod. 5, 38; also, “desiderii,” id. ib. 17, 80: “prae poculis nescientes,” through drunkenness, Flor. 2, 10, 2: “pocula praegustare,” Juv. 6, 633: “poculum ex vino,” Vulg. Cant. 8, 2.—