Lewis & Short

virga, ae, f. [root varg; v. virgo], a slender green branch, a twig, sprout, switch, rod.

  1. I. Lit.
    1. A. In gen., Cato, R. R. 101; Varr. R. R. 1, 59, 4; Plin. 17, 18, 30, § 136; 24, 19, 112, § 172; Verg. G. 1, 266; Ov. M. 3, 29; 11, 109.
    2. B. In partic.
      1. 1. A graft, scion, set, Ov. M. 14, 630.
      2. 2. A limetwig, Ov. M. 15, 474.
      3. 3. A rod, switch for flogging, Plaut. Capt. 3, 4, 117; id. Bacch. 4, 6, 10; id. Cas. 5, 4, 24; for governing horses, etc.: virga quā ad regendum equum usus est, Front. 4, 5, 16; Val. Max. 3, 2, 12: nobilis equus umbrā quoque virgae regitur, Curt. 7, 4, 18; Mart. 9, 22, 14; cf. Luc. 4, 683; Juv. 3, 317.
        Of the small rods in the fasces of the lictors, with which criminals were scourged, Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 62, § 161; Plin. 7, 43, 44, § 136.
        Hence, poet., for fasces, as a designation of one of the higher magistrates, Ov. Tr. 5, 6, 32; Stat. S. 1, 2, 47; Mart. 8, 66, 4.
      4. 4. A wand, a staff, as a support, Liv. 45, 12; Ov. F. 2, 706.
      5. 5. A magic wand, Verg. A. 7, 190; Ov. M. 14, 278; 14, 295; 14, 300.
  2. II. Transf.
    1. A. A stalk of the flax-plant, Plin. 19, 1, 3, § 17.
    2. B. A streak, stripe in the heavens, a water-gall, Sen. Q. N. 1, 9 and 10.
    3. C. A colored stripe in a garment: purpureae, Ov. A. A. 3, 269.
    4. D. A twig or branch of the ancestral tree, Juv. 8, 7.
    5. E. Genitalium, = membrum virile, Cassiod. Anim, 9.