fŏcŭlus, i, m. (in plur. also heterocl. focula, ōrum, n., Plaut. Pers. 1, 3, 24) dim. [focus], a little hearth, a fire-pan, chafing-dish, brazier.
- I. Lit.: arrepto carbone exstincto e foculo imaginem in pariete delineavit, Plin. 35, 10, 36, § 14; Cato, R. R. 10, 3; 11, 5: epulas foveri foculis ferventibus, Plaut. Capt. 4, 2, 67: dextram accenso ad sacrificium foculo inicit, Liv. 2, 12, 13; cf. Fronto Ep. ad Ver. 6 ed. Mai.
Comically: jam intus ventris fumant foculo, Calefieri jussi reliquias, Plaut. Pers. 1, 3, 24.
- * II. Transf., fire: bucca foculum excitat, Juv. 3, 262.