I.a raven, Plin. 10, 43, 60, § 121 sq.; “acc. to the fable, orig. white, changed to a black bird in punishment for treachery,” Ov. M. 2, 541 sq.; “on account of its gift of prophecy (oscen,” Hor. C. 3, 27, 11), consecrated to Apollo, Ov. M. 5, 329 (hence, Phoebeïus ales, id. ib. 2, 545: “Delphicus ales,” Petr. 122; cf. also Stat. Th. 3, 506); “its flight to the right indicated good fortune,” Plaut. As. 2, 1, 12; Cic. Div. 1, 39, 85.—
II. Meton., of bodies whose form or coloring is similar to that of the raven's bill.
A. In form.
1. A military implement, a grapnel, Curt. 4, 2, 12; 4, 3, 24 Mützell.—
2. A battering-ram, Vitr. 10, 19.—
3. A surgical instrument, in the form of a hook, Cels. 7, 19, § 33.—
4. The constellation Corvus, Vitr. 9, 7; Hyg. Astr. 3, 39.—
C. In mal. part. = fellator, Juv. 2, 63; cf. Mart. 14, 74.