Lewis & Short

1. ānŭlus (not ann-), i, m. [2. anus, like circulus from circum, not a dim.], a ring, esp. for the finger, a finger-ring; and for sealing, a seal-ring, signet-ring.

  1. I. Lit.: ille suum anulum opposuit, Plaut. Curc. 2, 3, 76: de digito anulum Detraho, Ter. Heaut. 4, 1, 37; id. Ad. 3, 2, 49; id. Hec. 5, 3, 31 et saep.; Lucr. 1, 312; 6, 1008; 6, 1014: (Gyges) anulum detraxit, Cic. Off. 3, 9, 38: gemmatus, Liv. 1, 11; Suet. Ner. 46; id. Caes. 33; id. Tib. 73 et saep.: anulo tabulas obsignare, Plaut. Curc. 2, 3, 67: sigilla anulo imprimere, Cic. Ac. 2, 26, 85; id. ad Q. Fr. 1, 1, 4; Plin. 33, 1, 5 sqq. et saep.
    The right to wear a gold ring was possessed, in the time of the Republic, only by the knights (equites); hence, equestris, * Hor. S. 2, 7, 53: anulum invenit = eques factus est, Cic. Verr. 2, 3, 76.
    So also jus anulorum = dignitas equestris, Suet. Caes. 33: donatus anulo aureo, id. ib. 39; so id. Galb. 10; 14; id. Vit. 12 al.; cf. Mayor ad Juv. 7, 89; Smith. Dict. Antiq.
  2. II. Of other articles in the form of rings.
    1. A. A ring for curtains: velares anuli, Plin. 13, 9, 18, § 62.
    2. B. A link of a chain, Plin. 34, 15, 43, § 150; cf. Mart. 2, 29.
      Irons for the feet, fetters: anulus cruribus aptus, Mart. 14, 169.
    3. C. A curled lock of hair, a ringlet: comarum anulus, Mart. 2, 66.
    4. D. A round ornament upon the capitals of Doric columns: anuli columnarum, Vitr. 4, 3.
    5. E. Anuli virgei, rings made of willow rods, Plin. 15, 29, 37, § 124.