pix, pĭcis, f. [akin to Gr. πικρός, bitter, πίτυς, pine; cf. πεύκη], = πίσσα, pitch: picem meminisse debemus non aliud esse quam combustae resinae fluxum, Plin. 23, 1, 24, § 47; cf. id. 16, 11, 21, § 52: postes inducti pice, Plaut. Most. 3, 2, 140: pastor junctis pice cantat avenis, Ov. Tr. 5, 10, 25: hic dies festus Corticem astrictum pice dimovebit Amphorae, Hor. C. 3, 8, 10: caelum pice nigrius, Ov. H. 18, 7.
Boiling pitch was poured on the bodies of slaves as a punishment: te Pix atra agitet aput carnificem, Plaut. Capt. 3, 4, 65; Lucr. 3, 1017.
In plur.: Idaeasque pices, Verg. G. 3, 450; Plin. 14, 20, 25, § 122: ut pices navium solverentur, Aug. Civ. Dei, 3, 31.
Prov.: Qui tetigerit picem inquinabitur, Vulg. Ecclus. 13, 1.