argutiae

argūtĭae, ārum (the sing. argutia, ae, is rare and only among later writers; cf. Charis. p. 20, and Phocae Ars, p. 1708 P.), f. [argutus].

I.

That which is clear to the senses, vigor of expression, liveliness, animation; of works of art: Parrhasius primus symmetriam picturae dedit, primus argutias vultūs, elegantiam capilli, etc., Plin. 35, 10, 36, §

37: argutiae operum,

id. 34, 18, 19, § 65.—Of the quick motion of the fingers (cf. argutus):

nulla mollitia cervicum, nullae argutiae digitorum,

Cic. Or. 18, 59.—Of the chattering notes of the nightingale, Plin. 10, 29, 43, § 85.—Of chattering discourse, Plaut. Bacch. 1, 2, 19; id. Most. 1, 1, 2.—

II.

Transf. to mental qualities.

A.

Brightness, acuteness, wit, genius:

hujus (C. Titii) orationes tantum argutiarum, tantum urbanitatis habent, ut paene Attico stilo scriptae esse videantur. Easdem argutias in tragoedias transtulit,

Cic. Brut. 45, 167:

Demosthenes nihil Lysiae subtilitate cedit, nihil argutiis et acumine Hyperidi,

id. Or. 31, 110. —

B.

Slyness, subtlety, cunning, shrewdness in speech or action:

sed nihil est quod illi (Graeci) non persequantur suis argutiis,

Cic. Lael. 13, 45:

cujus loquacitas habet aliquid argutiarum,

id. Leg. 1, 2, 7.—In this signif. also in the sing.:

importuna atque audax argutia,

Gell. 3, 1, 6:

levis et quasi dicax argutia,

id. 12, 2 (cf. argutiola); Pall. Insit. prooem. 1; so App. M. 1, 1.