scūtum, i, n. (masc. collat. form scū-tus, Turp. ap. Non. 226, 13) [σκῦτος].
- I. An oblong shield, made of boards fastened together, and covered with leather, a buckler (whereas clipeus denotes a round shield, target of metal; cf. Veg. Mil. 2, 18): scutum pro clipeo, Liv. 1, 43: pedestre, of the infantry, Quadrig. ap. Gell. 9, 13, 14; 9, 13, 16; Liv. 6, 8; 7, 10: equestria, of the cavalry, id. 43, 6: ad galeas induendas scutisque tegimenta detrahenda tempus defuit, Caes. B. G. 2, 21: scutis ex cortice factis aut viminibus intextis, id. ib. 2, 33: sublato scuto, id. B. C. 2, 35: abjecto scuto fugere, Cic. Tusc. 2, 23, 54: ut non modo non abjecto, sed ne rejecto quidem scuto fugere videar, id. de Or. 2, 72, 294: scutum reliquisse praecipuum flagitium, Tac. G. 6: hastas et scuta reclinant, Verg. A. 12, 130: fulgentia, id. ib. 8, 93: longa, id. ib. 8, 539; Ov. Tr. 4, 1, 73; Liv. 7, 26; 38, 17: erectum altius, Amm. 24, 4, 4.
- B. Transf., heavyarmed soldiers, men bearing shields (late Lat.): oppidum, ordine circumdatum trino scutorum, oppugnabat, Amm. 24, 4, 10: Agilo, scutorum densitate contectus, id. 21, 12, 18 al.
- II. Trop., a shield, i. e. a defence, protection, sheiter, safeguard (rare): sed ne quod tamen scutum dare in judicio viderentur eis, quos, etc., Cic. Tull. 18, 43: scuto vobis magis quam gladio opus est, Liv. 3, 53 fin. (for which, just before: praesidia libertatis non licentiae ad impugnandos alios): Fabius novam de Hannibale victoriam commentus est, non pugnare. Hinc illud ex populo, ut Imperii scutum vocaretur, Flor. 2, 6, 27; cf.: Deus, scutum meum, Vulg. 2 Reg. 22, 3: scutum fidei, id. Eph. 6, 16.