Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Libra

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. 

LIBRA (σταθμός, τάλαντον). A balance, or pair of scales; of which a great many specimens, constructed in different ways, are preserved in the various cabinets of antiquities. The simplest kind consists of a mere beam (jugum), with a pair of scales (lances) at each end, and a ring or short chain placed in the centre of the beam, as a handle (ansa) to poise it by. In some cases the beam is furnished with a tongue or index (examen) working in an eye (agina), to mark the variation in weight, as is usual with the modern scales. And sometimes, as in the annexed example (Libra/1.1), from a Pompeian original, the beam is divided into fractional parts, in the same manner as a steel-yard (trutina), with a weight (aequipondium) attached to it, by which means the difference in weight between two objects is decided at once, without the necessity of having recourse to a number of fractional weights for the purpose.

2. Sine bilance libra. (Mart. Capell. xi. 180. p. 42.) A balance with only one scale, but having a fixed weight instead of a scale attached to the opposite end of the beam, as in the annexed example (Libra/2.1), from an original in the Granducal Cabinet at Florence. This was not used for measuring unequal quantities, but to test the just weight of a given quantity; and is supposed to have been employed at the mint, for estimating the proper weight of coinage, and by jewellers, money-dealers, &c.

3. A carpenter's or stone-mason's level, for which the diminutive, LIBELLA, is more usual.

4. (Aquaria). A geometrical instrument, employed in taking the levels of water. Vitruv. viii. 5. 1.

5. A counterpoise. (Plin. H. N. xvi. 65.) AEQUIPONDIUM.

6. A measure made of horn and divided by lines on the inside into twelve fractional parts; employed for measuring oil. Galen, Compos. Med. per gen. i. 17. vi. 8. Compare Hor. Sat. ii. 2. 61.

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  Libra/1.1
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  Libra/2.1