Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun In Roman antiq., a belt: either a girdle, or a baldric worn over the shoulder to support a sword, shield, or quiver.
- noun In architecture: A band perpendicular to the axis in the lateral part of the volute of an Ionic pulvinated capital.
- noun One of the passages dividing the auditorium of ancient Roman theaters and amphitheaters horizontally into upper and lower zones, and affording access to the different cunei, or wedge-shaped divisions of the auditorium, without disturbing persons occupying seats. Such a passage had usually the form of a wide step.
Etymologies
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Examples
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The girdle (balteus) was three or four fingers in breadth and (according to rabbinic tradition) thirty-two ells long; it had to be embroidered after the same pattern and to be of the same colour as the curtain of the forecourt and the tabernacle of the covenant (Ex., xxxix, 38).
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 12: Philip II-Reuss 1840-1916 1913
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A baldric (remotely from Lat. balteus, a girdle) was an ornamental belt passing over one shoulder and round the other side, and having the sword suspended from it.
Marmion Walter Scott 1801
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***** balteus en gemmis, en illita porticus auro certatim radiant; nec non, ubi finis arenae proxima marmoreo praebet spectacula muro, sternitur adiunctis ebur admirabile truncis et coit in rotulum, tereti qui lubricus axe impositos subita vertigine falleret ungues excuteretque feras. auro quoque torta refulgent retia, quae totis in arenam dentibus extant, dentibus aequatis: et erat (mihi crede, Lycota, si qua fides) nostro dens longior omnis aratro.
Post-Augustan Poetry From Seneca to Juvenal Harold Edgeworth Butler 1914
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«ballista, - ae», f. _ballista_, an engine for hurling missiles (p. 220) «balteus, - ī», m. _belt, sword belt_
Latin for Beginners Benjamin Leonard D'Ooge 1900
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"the dog of a Muscovite," -- and yet be the possessor of a balteus for his bow as richly jewelled as was Diana's, and a corytos in the superb style of the ancient Persians, as found represented on Persepolitan bas-reliefs.
Life of Schamyl And Narrative of the Circassian War of Independence Against Russia John Milton Mackie
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The subcinctorium is mentioned under the name of balteus as early as the end of the tenth century in a "Sacramentarium" of this date preserved in the Bibliotheque Nationale at Paris (f. lat.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 9: Laprade-Mass Liturgy 1840-1916 1913
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The subcinctorium is mentioned under the name of balteus as early as the end of the tenth century in a "Sacramentarium" of this date preserved in the Bibliotheque Nationale at Paris (f. lat.
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