columbarius

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

I.

cŏ-lumbārĭus, ii, m., a dove-keeper, Varr. R. R. 2, 7, 7; 3, 7, 5.—

II.

cŏlumbārĭum, ii, n.

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.—

B.

Transf.

1.

In archit., the gain or mortise in which rafters or joists lie, Vitr. 4, 2, 4.—

2.

A hole near the axle of a water-wheel, Vitr. 10, 9, 2.—

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.

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.