Lewis & Short

†† cŭnīcŭlus, i, m. [Spanish], a rabbit, cony, Gr. κόνικλος or κύνικλος.

  1. I. Prop., Varr. R. R. 3, 12, 6; Plin. 8, 55, 81, § 217; Mart. 13, 60.
  2. II. Transf. (from their habit of burrowing in the ground; cf. Varr. l. l.; collat. form, cŭnīcŭlum, i, n., acc. to Paul. ex Fest. p. 50, 4, but perh. an acc.; v. Müll. ad loc.), a passage under ground, a hole, pit, cavity, canal, etc.
    1. A. In gen., Cic. Off. 3, 23, 90; Col. 8, 17, 4; Plin. 2, 80, 82, § 193; 6, 27, 31, §§ 128 and 135.
    2. B. In partic., milit. t. t., a mine, Caes. B. G. 3, 21; 7, 22 (three times); 7, 24; Hirt. B. G. 8, 41; Cic. Phil. 3, 8, 20; id. Caecin. 30, 88; Liv. 5, 19, 10: ad murum cuniculis pervenire, id. 31, 17, 2: occultus vineis, id. 38, 7, 6; Amm. 24, 4, 13: cuniculorum fodinae, id. 24, 4, 21.
      1. 2. Trop.: quae res aperte petebatur, ea nunc occulte cuniculis oppugnatur, i. e. by secret devices, Cic. Agr. 1, 1, 1.