I. Lit., a cross - way, sideway, by-path, foot-path (cf. semita): domum ire coepi tramite, Plaut. Fragm. ap. Varr. L. L. 7, § 62 Müll.: “egressus est non viis, sed tramitibus, paludatus,” Cic. Phil. 13, 9, 19: “in Apennini tramitibus,” id. ib. 12, 11, 26: “per tramites occulte perfugeret,” Sall. C. 57, 1: “per tramites occultos,” id. J. 48, 2: “transvorsis tramitibus transgressus,” Liv. 2, 39, 3; Suet. Caes. 31: “per devios tramites refugiens,” id. Aug. 16; Prop. 3, 13 (4, 12), 44; 3 (4), 22, 24; Verg. A. 11, 515 al. —
B. Transf.
1. Poet., in gen., a way, path, road, course, flight: “cito decurrit tramite virgo,” Verg. A. 5, 610: “facili jam tramite sistam,” id. ib. 6, 676: palantes error certo de tramite pellit. Hor. S. 2, 3, 49; Ov. F. 3, 13; id. M. 10, 53; Sen. Ep. 84, 13; Stat. Th. 2, 48: “trames aquae immensae,” a channel, Vulg. Ecclus. 24, 41.— *
2. Branches of a family, Gell. 13, 19, 15.—
II. Trop., a way of life, way, course, method, manner: (Epicurus) viam monstravit, tramite parvo Qua possemus ad id recto contendere cursu, Lucr. 6, 27: “ab aequitatis recto tramite deviare,” Amm. 22, 10, 2: “augustissimus ad immortalitatis praemium,” Lact. 5, 18, 11 al.