Lewis & Short

festūca, ae, f., a stalk, stem, straw.

  1. I. Lit.
    1. A. In gen.: qui homo in pratis per fenisecta festucas corradit, Varr. L. L. 5, § 136; Col. 8, 15, 6; Plin. 10, 41, 57, § 116; 18, 27, 67, § 254.
    2. B. A rod with which slaves were touched in the ceremony of manumission: qui vindicabat festucam tenebat … et homini imponebat, Gai. Inst. 4, 16; cf.: vindicta, A.: quid? ea ingenuan’ an festuca facta e serva libera’st? Plaut. Mil. 4, 1, 15; id. Pers. 5, 175.
  2. II. Transf., a straw-like weed which grows among barley, also called aegilops, Plin. 18, 17, 44, § 155.
    1. B. A trifle, particle, mote: in oculo fratris, Vulg. Matt. 7, 3; id. Luc. 6, 41.