Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Cluden
Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)
editCLU'DEN. A sword used by actors upon the Roman stage, the blade of which receded into the handle immediately upon meeting with any resistance, and so produced the effect of stabbing without danger. (Apul. Apol. p. 526.) A device of the same kind is resorted to by modern actors; but the reading in Apuleius is not certain, and the interpretation is conjectural.