I.a leading, conducting (class.).
I. Lit.
A. In gen.: “aquarum,” Cic. Off. 2, 4, 14; id. Leg. 2, 1, 2; cf. the work of Frontinus: De aquaeductibus; “in this sense also simply ductus,” id. ib. 5 sq.: “aequali ductu porticus,” a line, row, Lucr. 4, 426: “muri,” Cic. Rep. 2, 6, 11: “litterarum,” form, shape, Quint. 1, 1, 25; 10, 2, 2; Plin. 8, 3, 3, § 6: “oris (with vultus),” lineaments, Cic. Fin. 5, 17, 47: “liniarum,” Plin. 37, 12, 74, § 195.—
B. In partic., military lead, conduct, generalship, command, Cic. de Imp. Pomp. 21; id. Fam. 3, 11, 4; Caes. B. G. 7, 62, 2; id. B. C. 1, 7, 6; Vell. 2, 78; 115; Tac. Agr. 5; Suet. Vesp. 4 al.; “freq. connected with auspicium,” Plaut. Am. 1, 1, 41; Liv. 5, 46; 8, 31; 28, 38; Inscr. Orell. 563 al.; “sometimes also opp. to auspicium, as the supreme command,” Tac. A. 2, 41; Curt. 6, 3; Suet. Aug. 21 Ruhnk.—
II. Trop., of discourse.
A. Connection, structure of a play, Quint. 4, 2, 53.—
B. A period, Quint. 9, 4, 30 Spald.