1. măcer, cra, crum, adj. [Sanscr. root mak, to crush; Gr. μάσσω, knead; μαγεύς, baker; Germ. mager], lean, meagre.
- A. Lit., of living beings (most freq. of animals): taurus, opp. pinguis, Verg. E. 3, 100: boves, Varr. R. R. 2, 5, 12; Juv. 14, 146: turdi, Hor. S. 1, 5, 72: mustela, id. Ep. 1, 7, 33: ostreae inuberes et macrae, Gell. 20, 8; Quint. 6, 3, 58.
Of parts of the body: in macerrimis corporis partibus, Sen. Ep. 78, 8.
Humorously of a person: valeat res ludicra si me Palma negata macrum donata reducit opimum, Hor. Ep. 2, 1, 181: nec pharetris Veneris macer est, Juv. 6, 138.
- B. Of inanimate things, thin, poor, barren: solum exile et macrum, * Cic. Agr. 2, 5, 67: ager macrior, Varr. R. R. 1, 24, 2: macerrimi agri, Col. 11, 2, 7: stirpes, id. 3, 10, 3: vineae, id. 8, 1, 2: libellus, meagre, thin, Mart. 2, 6, 10: ut dignus venias hederis et imagine macra, Juv. 7, 29.