Lewis & Short

lautĭa (in Plutarch λαύτεια, Quaest. Rom. 45; old form: dautia quae lautia dicimus et dantur legatis hospitii gratia, Paul. ex Fest. p. 68 Müll.), ōrum, n. [lautus, v. lavo fin.], the entertainment furnished in Rome to foreign ambassadors or distinguished guests at the expense of the state.

  1. I. Lit.: locus inde lautiaque legatis praeberi jussa, Liv. 28, 39, 19; 30, 17, 14; 33, 24, 5; 35, 23, 11; 42, 6, 11; 42, 19, 6.
  2. II. Transf. (post-class.), App. M. 9, p. 221, 39: equum illum hospitium, ac loca lautia mihi praebiturum, id. ib. 3, p. 140, 33; Sid. Ep. 8, 12 fin.; Serv. Verg. A. 8, 361.