Lewis & Short

ŏvis, is (acc. ovim, Plaut. Merc. 3, 1, 26; al. ovem; abl. ovi, acc. to Varr. L. L. 8, § 66 Müll.), f. (m., Varr. ap. Non. 216, 23: ovis mas, Varr. L. L. 5, 98; cf.: ovis semimas, Ov. F. 1, 588; cf. Fest. p. 195 Müll.) [kindr. with Sanscr. avi, ovis; Lith. awi-s; Slav. ovjza; Gr. ὄϊς; cf. also Goth. avistr, ovile], a sheep (class.).

  1. I. Lit.: oves scabrae, glabrae, Plaut. Trin. 2, 4, 140: cum fervit maxime, tam placidum quasi ovem reddo, Ter. Ad. 4, 1, 18; Cic. N. D. 2, 63, 158: multae dictione ovium et boum, id. Rep. 2, 9, 16: ovis bona, Plaut. Bacch. 5, 2, 11: aurata, Ov. H. 6, 2: infirmae, Hor. Epod. 2, 10: lanigera, Verg. A. 3, 660: Milesiae, Col. 7, 2, 3: nigra, Verg. G. 4, 546: pinguis, id. E. 6, 5: placida, Ov. M. 13, 927: custos ovium, Verg. G. 1, 17: magistri ovium, id. E. 2, 33: tondere oves, Hor. Ep. 2, 10.
    Prov.: ovem lupo committere, to appoint the wolf shepherd, Ter. Eun. 5, 1, 16; cf.: O praeclarum custodem ovium, ut ajunt, lupum, Cic. Phil. 3, 11, 27.
  2. II. Transf.
    1. A. Poet., wool: et niveam Tyrio murice tingit ovem, Tib. 2, 4, 28.
    2. B. Sheep, for simpleton, ninny, fool, Plaut. Bacch. 5, 2, 3, q. v. 15.