Lewis & Short

cŏlumbārĭus, a, um, adj. [columba], pertaining to doves; only subst.,

  1. I. cŏ-lumbārĭus, ii, m., a dove-keeper, Varr. R. R. 2, 7, 7; 3, 7, 5.
  2. II. cŏlumbārĭum, ii, n.
    1. A. A dove-cot, pigeon-house, Varr. R. R. 3, 7, 4 sq.; Col. 8, 8, 3; 8, 8, 6; 8, 11, 3; Pall. 1, 24; Plin. 19, 9, 6, § 51; Dig. 10, 2, 8, § 1.
    2. B. Transf.
      1. 1. In archit., the gain or mortise in which rafters or joists lie, Vitr. 4, 2, 4.
      2. 2. A hole near the axle of a water-wheel, Vitr. 10, 9, 2.
      3. 3. An opening in the side of a vessel for the oars to pass through, a rowlock; plur.: columbaria in summis lateribus navium loca concava, per quae eminent remi, Isid. Orig. 19, 2, 3; cf. Fest. p. 169, 8.
        Hence, cŏlumbā-rĭus, ii, m., an oarsman, as a term of reproach. Plaut. ap. Fest. l. l.
      4. 4. A subterranean sepulchre, in the walls of which were niches for urns of ashes, Inscr. Orell. 2975; 4513; v. Dict. of Antiq. s. v. columbarium.