I.that which is wrought or woven in, the woof, weft of a web: “inseritur medium radiis subtemen acutis, etc.,” Ov. M. 6, 56; Varr. L. L. 5, § 113 Müll.; Verg. A. 3, 483; Vitr. 10, 1 med.; Plin. 11, 24, 28, § 81; 13, 12, 24, § 79.—
II. Meton. (pars pro toto), any thing spun, thread, yarn (rare, and mostly poet.): “subtemen tenue nere,” Plaut. Merc. 3, 1, 20: “nere,” Ter. Heaut. 2, 3, 52; Front. Nep. Am. 2 med.: “Tyrium,” Tib. 4, 1, 121; Stat. Th. 7, 656: “picto bracae,” Val. Fl. 6, 227: “croceo vestes,” id. 8, 234.—Of the threads of the Fates: “unde tibi reditum certo subtemine Parcae Rupere,” Hor. Epod. 13, 15: “ducere subtemina,” Cat. 64, 328: “rubrum,” Claud. Rapt. Pros. 1, 260: “auratum,” Nemes. Cyg. 91.