Lewis & Short

† scapus, i, m. [root skap-; Gr. σκήπτω, to prop, σκῆπτρον; Doric, σκᾶπος; cf.: scipio, scamnum, scopus; Engl. shaft], a shaft, stem, stalk, trunk, etc.

  1. I. In gen., Varr. R. R. 1, 31, 5; Col. 9, 4, 4; Plin. 18, 10, 21, § 95; Sen. Ep. 86, 17.
  2. II. In partic.
    1. A. A cylinder on which sheets of paper or leaves of papyrus were rolled, Plin. 13, 12, 23, § 77.
    2. B. A sheet of paper: aliquid papyri illinere scapo, Varr. ap. Non. 168, 14.
    3. C. A weaver’s yarn-beam, Lucr. 5, 1353.
    4. D. The shaft of a column, Vitr. 3, 2 sq.
    5. E. The shank of a candlestick, Plin. 34, 3, 6, § 11.
  3. F. The post or newel of a circular staircase, Vitr. 9, 2 fin.
  4. G. The main stile of a door on which it hinged, Vitr. 4, 6.
  5. H. The beam of a balance, Vitr. 10, 8; Fest. s. v. agina, p. 10 Müll.; and s. v. librile, p. 116 ib.
  6. K. = membrum virile, Aug. Civ. Dei, 7, 24 fin.; Veg. 5, 14, 17.