I.a hook, barb.
I. In gen., Liv. 30, 10, 16; Col. 3, 18, 2: “ferrei,” Cato, R. R. 10; 13.—As an attribute of Necessitas, Hor. C. 1, 35, 20.—Poet., an anchor, Val. Fl. 2, 428.—
II. In partic.
A. A hook that was fastened to the neck of condemned criminals, and by which they were dragged to the Tiber, Cic. Phil. 1, 2, 5; id. rab. Perd. 5, 16; Ov. Ib. 168; Juv. 10, 66; cf.: “et bene cum fixum mento discusseris uncum, Nil erit hoc: rostro te premet ansa suo,” Prop. 4 (5), 1, 141. —
B. A surgical instrument, Cels. 7, 29.