lituus

[ lit-yoo-uhs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural lit·u·i [lit, -yoo-ahy].

Geometry. a polar curve generated by the locus of a point moving so that the square of its radius vector varies inversely as the angle the radius vector makes with the polar axis. Equation: θr 2 = a.
(in ancient Rome) a crook-shaped staff used by augurs for divination.

Origin of lituus¹

1605–15; < Latin; geometrical sense from the curve's resemblance to such a staff

Eckhel infers from the guttus and lituus on one of Sulla's coins that he was an Augur.

Lituus, li-tū′us, n. an augur's staff with recurved top: a spiral of similar form.

It is the gold lituus dug up in the year 1824, within the monolithic circle of Leys, Inverness-shire.

The Roman lituus, the chief ensign of the augurs, became the crozier.

A Roman lituus, or clarion, was found near Tattershall Ferry.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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