Lewis & Short

anguilla, ae, f. dim. [anguis, Varr. L. L. 5, § 77 Müll.; but it may be directly con. with Gr. ἔγχελυς; v. anguis], an eel.

  1. I. Lit.: Muraena anguilla, Linn.; Plin. 9, 21, 38, § 74 al.; Juv. 5, 103.
  2. II. Trop.: anguilla est, elabitur, he is an eel; he slips away, is a slippery fellow, prov. of a sly man, Plaut. Ps. 2, 4, 56.
  3. III. The hard skin of an eel, used as a whip in schools, Verr. ap. Plin. 9, 23, 39; Isid. Orig. 5, 27.