Lewis & Short

canthērĭus or cantērĭus, ii, m. [perh. κανθήλιος, a beast of burden].

  1. I. A gelding, Varr. R. R. 2, 7, 15; cf. Paul. ex Fest. p. 46 Müll.; Plaut. Aul. 3, 5, 21; id. Capt. 4, 2, 34; Cic. N. D. 3, 5, 11; id. Fam. 9, 18, 4; Sen. Ep. 87, 9.
    1. B. An ass, mule, Tert. Apol. 16; id. ad Nat. 1, 14.
      Prov.: minime, sis, cantherium in fossam, put the hack in the ditch, when it is useless, Liv. 23, 47, 6 Weissenb. ad loc.
  2. II. Meton.
    1. A. A man impotent through age, Plaut. Cist. 4, 2, 83.
    2. B. In architecture, a spar under the roof, a rafter, Fr. chevron, Vitr. 4, 2.
    3. C. In the lang. of vine-dressing, a pole furnished with cross-pieces for supporting the vine, a trellis, Col. 4, 12, 1; 4, 4, 14; 11, 3, 62.
    4. D. Among veterinary surgeons, a kind of frame for suspending sick horses, Veg. 3, 47, 3.