Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Habena

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

HABE'NA. Literally that by which any thing is held, bound, drawn, or fastened; whence the following more special senses: —

1. (ἡνίαι). Mostly used in the plural; a pair of reins for riding or driving, like the annexed example (Habena/1.1), from a bas-relief in the Museum at Verona. Virg. Hor. Ov. &c.

2. (ῥυταγωγεύς). In the singular; a halter rope, or leading rein attached to a horse's head-stall, as contradistinguished from fraenum, which was bitted (Ammian. xix. 8. 7.); shown by the example (Habena/2.1), from an engraved gem.

3. A short thong attached to the shaft of a spear, to assist in hurling it (Lucan. vi. 221.); poetical for AMENTUM, 1., where see the illustration.

4. A strap or sandal, by which shoes that had no upper leather were fastened over the instep (Aul. Gell. xiii. 21. 2.); same as AMENTUM, 2., where see the illustration.

5. The lace or strap by which the cheek-pieces (bucculae) were fastened under the chin. Val. Flacc. vi. 365., woodcut p. 90.

6. The sheets of a sail; i. e. the ropes by which the lower ends of the sails are braced to or slacked away from the wind (Val. Flacc. iv. 679. Compare Ov. Fast. iii. 593.); poetically for PES, where see the illustration.

7. The thong of a sling (Lucan. iii. 710. Val. Flacc. v. 609.); see FUNDA.

8. The thong of a whip for punishing slaves (Hor. Ep. ii. 2. 15. Ov. Her. ix. 81. and illustrations s. FLAGELLUM and SCUTICA); or flogging a top. Virg. Aen. vii. 380.

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