ungŭla, ae, f. [unguis].
- I. Lit., a hoof, claw, talon; of a horse: totam quatit ungula terram, Enn. ap. Macr. S. 6, 1 (Ann. v. 231 Vahl.); Verg. A. 8, 596; cf. Cic. N. D. 3, 5, 11.
Of a swine, Cato, R. R. 158, 1; Cels. 2, 17; 4, 14.
Of oxen: bisulca, Plin. 8, 21, 30, § 72.
Of the claws of hens, Plaut. Aul. 3. 4, 8.
Of vultures’ and eagles’ talons, Plaut. Ps. 3, 2, 63.
Prov.: toto corpore atque omnibus ungulis, i. e., as we say, with tooth and nail, with might and main, Cic. Tusc. 2, 24, 56.
- II. Transf.
- A. Poet., a horse: cum carceribus missos rapit ungula currus, Hor. S. 1, 1, 114; Mart. 12, 50, 5.
- B. A claw, an instrument of torture (late Lat.), Cod. Just. 9, 18, 7 fin.; Prud. στεφ. 1, 44; Hier. Ep. 1, 3.
- III. An aromatic spice, Vulg. Ecclus. 24, 21.