I.a stalk, stem, straw.
I. Lit.
A. In gen.: “qui homo in pratis per fenisecta festucas corradit,” Varr. L. L. 5, § 136; Col. 8, 15, 6; Plin. 10, 41, 57, § 116; 18, 27, 67, § 254.—
B. A rod with which slaves were touched in the ceremony of manumission: “qui vindicabat festucam tenebat ... et homini imponebat,” Gai. Inst. 4, 16; cf.: “vindicta, A.: quid? ea ingenuan' an festuca facta e serva libera'st?” Plaut. Mil. 4, 1, 15; id. Pers. 5, 175.—
II. Transf., a straw-like weed which grows among barley, also called aegilops, Plin. 18, 17, 44, § 155.—
