patibulum

pătĭbŭlum, i, n. ( masc. collat. form pătĭbŭlus, i, Varr. ap. Non. 221, 12; v. in the foll.) [pateo], a fork-shaped yoke, placed on the necks of criminals, and to which their hands were tied; also, a fork-shaped gibbet (syn. furca).

I.

Lit.:

dispessis manibus patibulum quom habebis,

Plaut. Mil. 2, 4, 7: patibulo eminens adfigebatur, Sall. Fragm. ap. Non. 4, 355 (Hist. 4, 40 Dietsch):

caedes, patibula, ignes, cruces,

Tac. A. 14, 33; Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 41, § 90.— Masc.: deligat ad patibulos, Varr. ap. Non. 221, 12: suspende eos contra solem in patibulis, Vulg. Num 25, 4.—

II.

A forked prop for vines, Plin. 17, 23, 35, § 212; Cato, R. R. 26.—

B.

A wooden bar for fastening a door, Titin. ap. Non. 366, 16.