I.“moirus,” Inscr. Orell. 566), i, m. from root mū-; cf.: moenia, munis, a wall; esp. a city wall; mostly in plur. (class.; cf.: moenia, paries, maceria).
I. Lit.: “muri urbis,” Cic. N. D. 3, 40, 94: “Helvii intra oppida murosque compelluntur,” Caes. B. G. 7, 65: “instruere,” Nep. Th. 6, 4: “ducere,” Verg. A. 1, 423: “aedificare,” Ov. M. 11, 204: “marmoreus,” a balcony, Calp. Ecl. 7, 48.—Also, the wall of a building, Cic. Att. 2, 4, 7: “sanctae res, veluti muri et portae, quodammodo divini juris sunt,” Gai. Inst. 2, 9.—
B. Transf.
1. A bank, mound, dam, Varr. R. R. 1, 14, 3.—
3. The wooden tower of an elephant, Sil. 9, 601.—
4. The head-dress of Cybele, ornamented with towers: crinalis, Claud. in. Eutr. 2, 284.—
II. Trop., a wall, a safeguard, protection, defence (rare but class.): “lex Aelia et Fufia, propugnacula murique tranquillitatis,” Cic. Pis. 4, 9: “Graiūm murus Achilles,” Ov. M. 13, 280: “cor munitum costarum et pectoris muro,” Plin. 11, 37, 69, § 181: “hic murus aëneus esto,” Hor. Ep. 1, 1, 60.