Lewis & Short

lăcĭnĭa, ae, f. [v. lacus, lacer], the lappet, flap, edge, or corner of a garment.

  1. I. Lit.: sume laciniam atque absterge sudorem tibi, Plaut. Merc. 1, 2, 16: aliquem lacinia tenere, id. As. 3, 2, 41: in lacinia servare ex mensa secunda semina, Cic. Fil. Fam. 16, 21, 7: consurgenti ei primum lacinia obhaesit, Suet. Ner. 19: togae, id. Calig. 35; id. Claud. 15.
      1. 2. In gen., a garment (post-class.): detraxit umeris laciniam, Petr. S. 12; App. M. 3, p. 138; 6, p. 174; 11, p. 263; Macr. S. 2, 3; Vulg. Thren. 4, 14 et saep.
    1. B. Transf.
      1. 1. Of cattle, the dewlap: laciniae dependentes, Plin. 8, 50, 76, § 202.
      2. 2. A small piece or part: porrum et allium serunt in laciniis colligatum, Plin. 19, 7, 36, § 120: folii, id. 15, 30, 39, § 130: gregem in lacinias distribuere, Col. 7, 5, 3.
        Hence, also, a small strip or spot of land: quoniam id oppidum velut in lacinia erat, Plin. 5, 32, 43, § 148; id. 36, 13, 19, § 85.
  2. II. Trop.: aliquid obtinere laciniā, by the lappet, i. e. hardly, with difficulty, without a firm hold upon it, Cic. de Or. 3, 28, 110.