Lewis & Short

crūs, ūris, n. [etym. dub.; prob. kindr. with curro, currus; cf. celer, and -cello in recello, etc.], the leg, shank, shin.

  1. I. Prop., Cels. 8, 1 fin.: perque fabam repunt (grues) et mollia crura reponunt, Enn. ap. Serv. ad Verg. G. 3, 76 (Ann. v. 545 Vahl.); imitated by Verg. G. 3, 76, and Sil. 16, 444; so Lucr. 3, 478; 3, 652; Cic. N. D. 1, 36, 101; Caes. B. G. 6, 27; Plin. 10, 46, 63, § 129; Quint. 11, 3, 139; Ov. M. 1, 306; 4, 580 et saep. The legs of criminals were frequently broken, as a punishment, Cic. Rosc. Am. 20, 56 sq.; id. Phil. 13, 12, 27; Suet. Aug. 67; cf. crurifragius.
  2. II. Transf.
    1. A. For pes, foot, Ov. M. 11, 74.
    2. B. Of plants, the lower part of the stalk, Col. 3, 10, 2; 3, 18, 5; Pall. 1, 35, 6.