Clavicula. Dimin. of Clavis (q.v.).

Clavier. Of a musical instrument, the key-board.

Clavis, R. A key. The clavis clausa was a small key without a neck or lever; clavis laconica, a key of Egyptian invention, having three teeth; clavis adultera, a false key; clavis trochi, a curved stick made of iron and having a hook at the end, which was used by Greek and Roman boys for trundling their hoops.

Clavius. A walled plain in the moon, more than a hundred miles in diameter.

Clavulare or Clabulare, R. A large open cart used for carrying provisions, especially dolia (casks) filled with wine. The body of the carriage was formed by a wooden trellis-work (clavulæ)—whence its name—and was of a semi-cylindrical shape, adapted to accommodate wine barrels.

Clavus, R. A nail. In Christian archæology, a purple hem or band applied as an ornament to a dress, which was then called vestis clavata. (See Chryso-clavus.)

Claymore (Gaelic, claidheamb, a sword, and mor, great). The highland broadsword.

Clechée, Her. (See Undée.) A variety of the heraldic cross.

Clef or Cliff, Music. A figure indicating the pitch to be adopted for the key-note of a piece of music; an invention of the 13th century.

Clepsydra, Gen. (κλεψ-ύδρα, i. e. a stealing-away of water). A water-clock, and by analogy an hour-glass or sand-clock. The clepsydra was used as an hour-glass in the courts of justice at Athens, to measure out the time allowed to each orator.

Clerestory. (See Claire-voie.)

Cleystaffe, O. E. A pastoral staff.

Clibanus, R. (1) A basket used for baking bread; the bread itself, when thus baked, being called clibanicius. (2) Med. Lat. A short hauberk, which the later Greeks called κλίβανον, because it covered the breast. (Meyrick.) (3) Med. Lat. A tower.

Clicket, O. E. A key.

Cliff. (See Clef.)

Clipeolum. Dimin. of Clipeus (q.v.).

Clipeus and Clipeum, R. (akin to καλύπτω, to cover or conceal). A large broad shield of circular shape and concave on the inside. It was of great weight, and formed part of the special equipment of the cavalry. The original clipeus Argolicus was circular, and often likened to the sun: in Roman sculpture it is often oval. The outer rim was termed antyx; the boss in the centre, omphalos, or umbo; a leather strap for the arm, telamon. It was replaced, subsequently, by the Scutum (q.v.). Fig. 169 is an ornamented bronze clipeus, thought to be Gaulish. This term also serves to denote (1) a shield of metal or marble which was employed as an ornament (Fig. 170 represents an ornamental shield, such as was placed on the frieze of a building, and especially in the metopes of the Doric entablature); and (2) an apparatus employed in the laconicum (q.v.) to regulate the temperature. In the illustration to Caldarium a slave may be seen pulling the chains of the clipeus.

Cloaca, R. (from cluo, i. e. the cleanser). A subterranean sewer or canal constructed of masonry. The Cloaca Maxima, or Main Sewer of Rome, was constructed by the elder Tarquin to drain a marsh lying at the foot of the Palatine and Capitoline Hills. Fig. 171 represents one of its mouths. It was formed of three tiers of arches, the innermost being fourteen feet in diameter.

Clocks, O. E., “are the gores of a ruff, the laying in of the cloth to make it round, the plaites;” also ornaments on stockings and on hoods.

Clog-almanacks. The Anglo-Saxons calculated by the phases of the moon, set down on square pieces of wood, a foot or two long. These clogs are still common in Staffordshire. (Cf. Plott’s History of Staffordshire; Gough’s Camden’s Britannia, ii. 379.)

Cloish, or Closh, O. E. A kind of ninepins played with a ball. (Strutt, p. 202.) Cf. Club-kayles.

Cloisonné. A form of enamelling by incrustation, in which the pattern is raised by strips of metal or wire welded on.

Cloister, Chr. (from Lat. claustrum, q.v.). A kind of court or quadrangle surrounded by a covered way, and having much analogy to the atrium of a Roman house. The cloister was an essential appendage to an abbey. One of its sides was usually bounded by the church, with which it easily communicated. The walls of the cloisters were often adorned with frescoes, and the court was occasionally planted with trees, the centre being occupied by a fountain. A monastery was often called a cloister. The sides of the cloister were anciently termed the Panes of it, and the walks its alleys or deambulatories. (Fig. 173.)

Cloister Garth. The quadrangular space enclosed by the cloisters. The cloister garth at Chichester is still called the Paradise, and that at Chester the Sprise garden. (See Paradise, Sprise.)

Close, Her. With closed wings.

Close-gauntlets. Gauntlets with immovable fingers.

Closet, Her. A diminution of the BAR, one half its width.

Cloths of Estate. Costly embroidered hangings for the canopy of a throne.

Clouée, Her. Fastened with nails, and showing the nail-heads.

Clouts. Old name for kerchiefs.

Clown, in pantomime. Harlequin is Mercury, the Clown Momus, and the painted face and wide mouth taken from the ancient masks; Pantaloon is Charon, and Columbine Psyche. (Clarke’s Travels, viii. 104–7.)

Club, Gr. and R. (Gr. φάλαγξ). This weapon being used in close fight gave its name to the compact body of troops so called. The Scythians united it with the mace, both being spiked. Ducange mentions the vulgastus, a crooked club; the plumbata, loaded with lead, the spontonus with iron. In the army of Charles I. rustics untrained were called clubmen. (See Clava.)

Club-kayles, O. E. Skittles played with a club, instead of a ball. (See Cloish.)

Clubs, at cards, are the ancient trèfles, the trefoil or clover-plant. (See Trefle.)

Cluden, Gr. and R. A sword, the blade of which was contrived to recede into the handle. It was used for theatrical representations.

Clunaculum, R. (1) A dagger so called because it was worn at the back; “quia ad clunes pendet,” as Festus says. (2) The sacrificial knife with which the victim was ripped up. The dagger represented in Fig. 174, taken from the arch of Carpentras, was probably a Gaulish clunaculum.

Clustered Column, Arch. A pier formed of a congeries of columns or shafts clustered together, either attached or detached. It is also called a Compound Pier. Fig. 172 is a specimen from Wells Cathedral.

Clypeate. Shaped like a shield.

Cnopstara. A weapon used by the Caledonians; a ball filled with pieces of metal swung at the heads of their lances, to frighten cavalry.

Coa Vestis, or simply Coa (i. e. the Coan robe). A very fine robe [made of silk, spun in Cos], of such light texture as to be almost transparent. It was worn by hetairai and singing and dancing girls, &c.

Coactilis, sc. lana (from cogo, i. e. that which is forced together). A kind of felted cloth made of wool closely pressed together. It formed a texture analogous to our felt. Another name for it was coactus.

Coal as an ancient pigment was used both in water-colours and in oil; it furnishes a brownish tint. “The shadows of flesh are well rendered by pit-coal, which should not be burnt.” (De Mayerne.)

Coassatio (from coasso, to join planks together). A general term for planks joined together, such as the flooring of a room, the top of a table, the deck of a ship, the roadway of a wooden bridge, &c. (See Constratum.)

Coat Armour, Med. Embroidery of heraldic devices upon costume; hence a term for heraldry in general. (Figs. 175 and 176.)

Coat Cards, O. E. Court cards and tens, so named from the coat armour worn by the figures.

Cob. Irish name of a Spanish coin formerly current in Ireland; value about 4s. 8d.

Cobalt. A metal found in various combinations, from which various colouring matters are obtained of great use in the arts. Cobalt blue, a beautiful blue pigment, is obtained by mixing a salt of pure cobalt with a solution of pure alum, precipitating the liquid by an alkaline carbonate, washing the precipitate with care, drying and igniting it strongly. A fine green, known as Rinmann’s green, is similarly prepared. The chloride, the nitrate, and the sulphate of cobalt form sympathetic inks, which only become visible when the moisture is absorbed by the application of heat. From phosphate of cobalt a beautiful blue pigment is produced, called Thenard’s blue. It is said to have all the characters of ultramarine. Oxide of cobalt has the property of colouring glass blue; hence a glass formed of this oxide under the name of smalt is the blue colouring matter used for ornamenting porcelain and earthenware, for staining glass, for painting on enamel, &c.

Cobalt-bloom. (See Erythrine.)

Cobbards, O. E. The irons supporting a spit.

Cob-wall, Arch. A wall formed of unburned clay mixed with straw.

Cochineal. (See Carmine.)

Cochineal Lakes. (See Carminated Lakes.)

Cochlea (κοχλίας, i. e. a snail with spiral shell). Any object of spiral shape, like a screw; and so a worm and screw as a mechanical power in oil-, wine-, &c. presses; the “Archimedean Screw,” or “water-snail” for raising water; the revolving door through which the wild beasts were let out into the amphitheatre; and other contrivances similar to the Italian ruota, by which persons can be introduced through a wall without opening a door; also a spiral staircase, &c.

Cochlear, Cochleare (from κόχλος, a shell-fish). (1) A spoon having at one extremity a sharp point, and at the other a sort of small bowl. (2) A measure of capacity of very small size.

Cochlearium, R. A pond or nursery for fattening snails for the table. (English “cockles.”)

Cochlis, sc. columna (κοχλὶς, i. e. lit. a snail). A hollow monumental column, the interior of which was fitted with a cockle or spiral staircase, like the “Monument” of London.

Cock. In Christian art, the emblem of St. Peter, and of watchfulness.

Cockatrice. In Christian art, the emblem of sin; attribute of St. Vitus. (Her.: see the illustration to Basilisk.)

Cock-bead, Arch. A bead which projects from the surface of the timber on both sides.

Cockers, O. E. Ploughmen’s laced boots.

Cocket, O. E. A seal formerly attached to goods which had paid customs dues. Ancient cockets bear such inscriptions on them as “God willing,” “If God please,” &c.

Cockle-stairs, O. E. Winding stairs. (Cf. Cochlea.)

Coctilis, Cocta, Coctus, R. (prepared by fire). Later coctilis was a brick hardened artificially by fire, in contradistinction to one dried in the sun; murus coctilis, a wall built of hardened bricks. (See Acapna.)

Cocurra, Med. Lat. A quiver.

Cocytia (from Κωκυτὸς, the river of weeping). A festival held in honour of Proserpine, who had been carried off by Pluto. The latter, as king of the infernal regions, included in his sway the river Cocytus. The Cocytus and Acheron, two rivers of Epirus, remarkable for unwholesome and muddy water, and subterranean currents, were hence called the rivers of Hell. “Cocytia virgo” was Alecto, one of the Furies.

Cod, Scotch. A pillow (also pod).

Codex (caudex, the trunk of a tree). (1) A blank book for writing in, consisting of thin tablets of wood covered with wax; the term thus came to mean code, that is, a book containing laws, since these were inscribed in a book, the leaves of which were composed of thin leaves of wood. When parchment or paper was introduced, the term was still applied; and hence, later, became appropriate to any code of laws, e. g. the Gregorian, Theodosian, Justinian, &c. (2) An early manuscript book, such as the Codex of the Greek New Testament and of “Virgil” in the Vatican. (3) The term was also applied to the heavy logs attached to the feet of slaves; these were of various shapes, sometimes even serving the purpose of a seat.

Codicillus (dimin. of Codex, q.v.). A small book, or small leaves of wood covered with wax. The plural codicilli denoted a number of such sheets put together so as to form a sort of memorandum-book for taking rough notes. Any supplemental note made on the margin of the leaves composing a will, or added to them, was also called codicillus (codicil).

Codon (Gr. κώδων). A bell; the bell of a trumpet; a trumpet with a bell-mouth.

Cod-piece (from O. E. “cod,” a pillow or stuffed cushion; Fr. braguette); introduced temp. Henry VIII. An appendage to the taces over the os pubis, copied in the armour of the period. It continued in use to the end of Elizabeth’s reign.

Cœlum. In Architecture, that part of a building which was placed over any other part, and so a ceiling, or soffit.

Cœmeterium, Cemetery, Chr. (κοιμητήριον, from κοιμάω, i. e. a sleeping-place; Lat dormitorium). This term is an exclusively Christian one; it signifies a field of rest or refuge; the last resting-place of man. (See Hypogæum.)

Cœna (from Sanscr. khad-, to eat). The principal meal among the Romans, consisting of several courses termed respectively prima, altera or secunda, tertia, quarta cœna. The hour at which the cœna took place varied with the habits of the master of the house, but it was usually about four or five o’clock. It was the third meal of the day, being preceded by the jentaculum (breakfast), and the merenda or prandium (luncheon or early dinner). The corresponding Greek meal was called deipnon, which closed with a libation to Zeus; after which the drinking party that remained was called Symposium. (See Last Supper.)

Cœnaculum. In early times this term was used for the Triclinium (q.v.); later on it came to mean the upper stories of houses inhabited by the poor, our attic or garret. In the plural, cœnacula denotes the whole suite of rooms on the upper story of a house, and cœnacula meritoria such apartments let out on hire.

Cœnatio, like cœnaculum, a dining-room situated upstairs. It thus differed from the Triclinium (q.v.), which was a dining-room on the ground floor; the former was used in winter, the latter in summer. The cœnatio, or diæta, was a very magnificent apartment. Nero had one in his golden palace, constructed like a theatre, with a change of scenery for every course.

Cœnatoria, Cœnatoriæ Vestes. The garments worn by the Romans at the dinner-table.

Cœnobium (κοινό-βιον, i. e. a life in common). A monastery; a convent of monks who lived in common.

Cœur, Carreau, Pique, and Trèfle. The four French suits of cards, corresponding with our Hearts, Diamonds, Spades, and Clubs, probably introduced in the reign of Charles VII. of France (15th century). (Taylor.) Cœur is sometimes derived from Chœur. (See Coppe and Chatrang.)

“The hearts are the ecclesiastics, whose place is in the choir; the pike the military, &c.” (Menestrier.)

Coffer. (See Arca.) (1) In Architecture, a sunken panel in a ceiling or soffit. (2) A chest.

Cognizance, Her. Synonym for Badge.

Cogware, O. E. A coarse narrow cloth like frieze; 16th century.

Cohors, Cohort, R. A body of infantry forming the tenth part of a legion. The number of men composing a cohort varied at different periods between 300 and 600 men, according to the numerical strength of the legion. The first cohort of a legion was called a military cohort; the prætorian cohort formed the general’s body-guard, while to the city cohort was entrusted the protection of the city. The term was sometimes, though very rarely, applied to a squadron of cavalry.

Coif or Quoif. A close hood.

Coif de Fer, Coiffette. A skull-cap of iron of the 12th and 13th centuries.

Coif de Mailles. A hood of mail worn by knights in the 12th century.

Coiffe, Arch. A term employed during the 16th and 17th centuries to denote the vaulted ceiling of an apse.

Coillon. (See Coin.)

Coin or Coigne, Arch. The corner of a building. (See Quoin.)

Coin-stones, Arch. Corner-stones.

Cointise or Quintise. (1) A scarf wrapped round the body, and sometimes attached to the helmet. (2) Quaintly-cut coverings for the helmet. Fig. 177 represents a helmet decorated with PANACHE, CORO. E., and cointise. This is the origin of mantling in heraldry. (3) A garment worn over armour, temp. Edward II., was so termed. (4) Horses’ caparisons.

Colatorium. A colander. (See Collum Vinarium.)

Colayn Riban, O. E. An ecclesiastical textile, or orphrey web, for the manufacture of which Cologne was famous in the 15th century.

Colcothar of Vitriol. A red pigment formerly called caput mortuum.

Cold-harbour. This common topical name is the Anglo-Saxon ceald-herberga, cold “herberge” or shelter, and probably indicates a place where the ruins of a Roman villa or station were the only available shelter for travellers, in the ancient scarcity of inns.

Collar (of a shaft), Arch. The Annulet (q.v.). (See also Collar-beam.)

Collar, Med. (1) A defence of mail or plate for the neck. (2) Generally. An ornament for the neck. The Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, and Gauls wore collars, which were named variously streptos (στρεπτὸς), torquis, torques, &c. Collars were ornamented with heraldic badges in the Middle Ages. (3) Heraldic. One of the insignia of the orders of knighthood. (See Fig. 178.)

Collar of S.S. Originally adopted by Henry IV., on the canopy of whose tomb it is employed as decoration over the arms of himself and his queen. Its significance is doubtful. Camden says the letters are the initials of Sanctus Simo Simplicius, an eminent Roman lawyer, and that it was particularly worn by persons of the legal profession.

Collar-beam, Arch. A horizontal tie, connecting a pair of rafters together, across the vault of a roof.

Collare, R. (collum, neck). A collar made of iron or leather, and studded with spikes. It was used both to confine slaves, and as a dog-collar. When a slave ran away from his master, an iron collar, with a leading-chain attached to it, was put round his neck.

Collarium, Med. Armour for the neck.

Collegium, R. A religious or industrial corporation in ancient Rome. The corresponding Greek institutions were the Hetairiai. The collegia included trade companies or guilds.

Collet. The setting which surrounds the stone of a ring. (See Crampon.)

Colliciæ, Colliquiæ. (1) Broad open drains through fields. (2) Gutters of hollow tiles (umbrices) placed beneath the roof of a house to receive the rain-water, and convey it into the Impluvium.

Colliciaris (sc. tegula). A hollow tile employed in the construction of colliciæ.

Collodion. A solution of gun cotton in ether, used in photography.

Collum Vinarium (from collum, a neck). A colander or wine-strainer. The custom of straining wine dates back beyond our era, and Christ made an allusion to it when he told the Pharisees that their colla allowed a camel to pass, while they kept back a gnat. Snow was put into a strainer or a bag, called respectively collum nivarium, saccus nivarius, through which the wine was allowed to filter, not only to cool it, but because the intense cold cleared the wine, and rendered it sparkling and transparent; it was then called vinum saccatum. The Christian Church from the first adopted this instrument in its liturgy; another name for it was colatorium. (See Nassa.) The colander for wine was made of silver, or bronze, or other metal. The linen cloth called saccus was not used for wine of any delicacy, as it spoiled its flavour.

Colluviarium, R. An opening made at regular intervals in the channel of an aqueduct, for ventilation. As this opening formed a kind of well, it was also called Puteus (q.v.).

Collyra, Gr. and R. A kind of bread made in a special manner, which was eaten with soup or sauce; there was also a cake so called.

Collyris (κολλυρὶς, synonym of κολλύρα, q.v.). A head-dress worn by Roman ladies, resembling in shape the bread called κολλύρα; the latter was called κολλυρὶς as well.

Collyrium (κολλύριον, dimin. of κολλύρα, q.v.). (1) A term denoting anything we should now call an unguent, but especially the salve collyrium, which was a liquid medicament. (2) Collyria was a term applied to Egyptian vases of terra-cotta, with or without enamel; to small quadrangular boxes of wood or pottery; and, lastly, to small cylindrical cases of wood or bronze divided into compartments. There were three prevailing forms of the vases. The Egyptians used antimony to make their eyes look larger, and had some medicament for the relief of toothache; and inscriptions indicating these uses may be read upon vessels of this kind. (Fig. 180).

Colne, O. E. A basket or coop.

Colobium (from κολοβὸς, docked or curtailed). A tunic with short sleeves, which scarcely covered the upper part of the arm. At Rome it was worn by men of free birth. The colobium appears to have been the first dress adopted by Christian deacons, and in the liturgical writings it is often met with under the name of levitonarium; when it was of fine linen, it was also called lebiton and lebitonarium. (Fig. 181.) Later on the sleeves were lengthened, and it became known as the Dalmatic (q.v.).

Cologne Black. (See Black.)

Cologne Earth. A bituminous earth of a violet-brown hue, transparent and durable in water-colour painting.

Colonica. Synonym of villa rustica. A farmhouse.

Color, Lat. (1) The term is used in several senses in mediæval treatises upon music, with a general idea of a quality of tone obtained by striking variations. (2) The coloured lines used in transcribing music. (See Neumes.)

Colores Austeri. Ancient pigments, not floridi.

Colores Floridi. Ancient expensive and brilliant pigments. They were chrysocollum, indicum (or indigo), cæruleum (smalt), and cinnabar.

Colossus (κολοσσός). The word was used for all statues larger than life; that at Rhodes was ninety feet high. The Minerva and Jupiter Olympus of Pheidias, the Farnese Hercules, and the Flora of the Belvidere, were all colossal.

Colours, in Heraldry, are five: Blue or Azure, Red or Gules, Black or Sable, Green or Vert, Purple or Purpure. In French heraldry Green is Sinope. The uses and general symbolism of each colour are described under its own heading. The best work on symbolic colours is the “Essay” of M. Portal. One of the best on the theory of colours is that of Chevreuil.

Colubrina, Med. Lat. (from coluber, a snake). A culverin.

Columbar, R. A kind of pillory used for punishing slaves. The instrument derived its name from the holes in it, which bore some resemblance to pigeon-holes.

Columbarium. A dove-cote or pigeon-house, often constructed to hold as many as 4000 or 5000 birds. In the plural the term has many meanings. (1) It denotes the pigeon-holes or cells for the nests in a pigeon-house. (2) In a sepulchral chamber, the niches for holding the cinerary urns (ollæ). Fig. 182 represents the numerous columbaria in the tomb of the freedmen of Octavia. In the sepulchral architecture of the Jews, the rock-hewn walls forming the vestibules of certain tombs were honey-combed with minute columbaria, in which only lamps were placed. Fig. 183 represents cells of this character taken from the tomb of Quoublet-el-Endeh. (3) The openings in the side of a ship through which the oars passed. (4) The holes made in a wall to receive the head of a tie-beam. (5) The openings of the scoops in a particular kind of hydraulic wheel called Tympanum (q.v.).

Columella. Dimin. of columna. (See Column, Cippus.)

Columen, Gr. and R. The highest timber in the framework of a roof, forming what is now called the ridgepiece.

Column, Arch. A column consists of three principal parts: the base (a), the shaft (b), and the capital (c). In the Doric, or most ancient style, the columns in a row rest upon a common base (podium). In the Ionic and Corinthian, each column has its own base (spira). The shaft of all columns tapers gradually from the base to the capital. Any swelling introduced to modify the straightness of the line was called entasis. On the summit of a row of columns rests the architrave, or chief beam (d); above this the frieze (e), and the cornice (f) projects above the frieze. These three together are called the entablature. The triangular gable-end of the roof, above the entablature, is called the pediment. A circuit of columns, enclosing an open space in the interior of a building, was called a peristyle. A temple of two stories, with one peristyle upon another (Ionic or Corinthian columns over the heavier Doric), was called hypæthral. In Christian archæology the column is a symbol of the Church, which was called, so early as St. Paul, columna et firmitatum veritatis (the column and support of truth).

Colures. In Astronomy, the two circles which pass through the four cardinal points of the ecliptic—the equinoctial and solstitial points.

Coluria, Arch. Circular segments of stone, in the construction of a column, such as are now called tambours or disks.

Colus. A distaff. With the Romans it consisted of a thick cane (arundo, donax), split at the end in such a way that the opening formed a basket. Compta, plena, or lana amicta were the epithets applied to a colus when filled with wool. The thread obtained from it was called stamen. The ball of loose wool at one end, prepared for spinning, was called glomus. The lower end of the distaff rested under the left arm; the right hand spun and wound the thread on to the spindles (called fusus). (See Distaff.)

Colymbion, Chr., Med. A vessel for holy water at the entrance of a church.

Colymbus, Gr. and R. A basin or reservoir used either as a swimming-bath or for washing linen in.

Coma (κόμη). (1) The hair; hair of the head. (2) The mane of animals. (See Cæsaries, Cincinnus, Hair, &c.)

Comatorius or Comatoria (sc. acus). A long pin or bodkin of gold, silver, bronze, or ivory, used by the Roman ladies to keep up their hair when plaited. It was also called Acus Crinalis (q.v.). (Compare Discerniculum.)

Combattant, Her. Said of lions, or other animals of prey, rampant and face to face.

Combs (Lat. pecten, Gr. κτεὶς), as used for combing the hair, but not for wearing upon the head, are found in Pompeian and Egyptian tombs, and in the early British, Roman, and Saxon barrows. In the Middle Ages ivory combs were richly carved, and the ceremonial combs for use in ecclesiastical ceremonies are especially splendid. Greek and Roman combs were of box-wood; Egyptian combs were of ivory. Uncombed hair was a general sign of mourning. (See Discerniculum.)

Commentaculum (from commento, to strike on the face). A staff or wand carried in sacred processions by the Roman priests to assist them in clearing a way and preventing the people from pressing in on them too closely. Commotaculum was also used.

Commissatio (from commissor, to revel). A revelling or feasting which began after the Cœna (q.v.), and lasted far on into the night. (See Symposium.)

Commistio or Commixtio, Chr. The placing of a portion of the bread into the chalice of wine, during the ceremony of consecration.

Common-house. The part of a monastery in which a fire was kept for the monks during winter.

Communicales, Chr. Communion vessels, made especially to be carried in procession in Rome.

Compass. In Music, the whole range of sounds capable of being produced by a voice or instrument.

Compass-headed, Arch. A semicircular arch.

Compass Roof, Arch. An open timber roof.

Compass Window, Arch. A bay-window on a circular plan.

Compes. (1) A ring of gold or silver worn by the Romans round the leg, just above the ankle. (2) The chains or shackles worn round the ankle by slaves or prisoners.

Compitalia, Compitales. A festival held by the Romans in honour of the Lares compitales, celebrated in the cross-roads, compitia, where the images of those deities were often placed in niches.

Complement, Her. Applied to the moon, when full.

Complement. In Music, the interval to be added to another interval to make an octave; e.g. a third to a sixth; a fourth to a fifth, &c.

Complementary Colours. If the whole of the light which is absorbed by a coloured body were reunited with the whole of the light which it reflects, white light would result; in this case the absorbed colours are complementary to those which are reflected. The colour given by a mixture of the colours of any portion of a spectrum is the complement of the remaining portion. Red is complementary to Green, Orange to Blue, Greenish-Yellow to Violet, Indigo to Orange Yellow, and, in each case, vice versâ.

Completorium, Chr. The last of the Hours of Prayer.

Compline, Chr. Short evening prayers completing the daily round of devotion prescribed by the Hours of Prayer.

Compluvium, R. An opening in the roof of the atrium, furnished with gutters all round, which collected the rain-water from the roof, and conveyed it into the basin (impluvium) in the middle of the atrium.

Compon-covert, O. E. A kind of lace.

Composite Order of Architecture. The last of the five Roman orders, composed of the Ionic grafted upon the Corinthian order. The examples at Rome are in the arch of Septimus Severus, the arch of the Goldsmiths, the arch of Titus, the temple of Bacchus, and the baths of Diocletian.

Compound Arch, Arch. A usual form of mediæval arch, which “may be resolved into a number of concentric archways, successively placed within and behind each other.” (Prof. Willis.)

Compound Pier, Arch. A clustered Column (q.v.).

Compounded Arms, Her. Bearings of two or more distinct coats combined, to produce a single compound coat.

Comus (Gr. κῶμος). (1) A revel, or carousal which usually ended in the guests parading the streets crowned with garlands, &c. (2) Festal processions instituted in honour of Bacchus and other gods, and of the victors at the games. (3) Odes written to be sung at such processions, e. g. those of Pindar.

Comus (Gr. κομμὸς, from κόπτω, to strike). (1) A beating of the head and breast in lamentation; a dirge. (2) A mournful song sung in alternate verses by an actor and a chorus in the Attic drama.

Concædes. A barricade constructed of trees which have been cut down and placed across the road (to impede the enemy’s march).

Concamerate, Arch. To arch over; to vault.

Concave. Hollowed in; opposed to convex, bulging out.

Concha (lit. a muscle or cockle). (1) A shell or shell-fish. (2) A Triton’s conch. In works of art, the Triton, or sea-god, has for a trumpet the buccina, remarkable for a spiral twist, long and straight; or the murex, equally twisted, but short and wide-mouthed. (3) The term was applied, by analogy, to various objects having the shape of a shell, such as cups or vases used for holding perfumes or for other purposes. (4) In Architecture, an apse, or a plain concave of a dome, is so called.

Conchoid. A mathematical curve in the form of the outline of a shell.

Conclave (with a key), Chr. (1) A meeting of cardinals assembled to elect a pope; and (2) the hall or apartment in which such meeting is held. The institution of the conclave dates from Gregory X.

Concrete, Arch. A mixture of gravel, pebbles, or broken stone with cement.

Condalium (κονδύλιον, dimin. of κόνδυλος, a knob or joint). A ring generally worn upon the first joint of the forefinger on the right hand.

Conditivium, Conditorium. (1) An underground vault in which were chests or coffins for holding bodies which had not been reduced to ashes. (2) A sarcophagus in which the body was placed. (3) A kind of arsenal or magazine in which military engines were kept.

Condrak, O. E. A kind of lace.

Condyle. A knuckle; the rounded end of a bone; hence—

Condyloid. Shaped like a condyle; and

Condylus. Synonym of Condalium (q.v.).

Cone. A figure broad and round at the base, tapering upwards regularly towards a point.

Coney, Cony, O. E. (1) A variety of the rabbit. (2) A beehive.

Confessio, Chr. Originally the place where a saint or martyr was buried; thence the altar raised over his grave; and subsequently the chapel or basilica built there.

Congé, Arch. The cavetto (hollow moulding) which unites the base and capital of a column to its shaft.

Congius (deriv. doubtful). A Roman measure containing six sextarii or twelve heminæ. It was used especially for measuring liquids. Angl. a pint and a half.

Conic Sections. Curves formed by the intersection of a cone and a plane; the circle, the ellipse, the hyperbola, and the parabola.

Conisterium, Gr. and R. A room in which wrestlers, after having had oil applied to their bodies, were rubbed over with fine sand (κόνις). The conisterium was an appendage to a palæstrum, gymnasium, &c.

Conopeum, Canopium, Gr. and R. (from κώνωψ, a gnat). A musquito-net, of very light material, introduced into Rome from Egypt. [This is the origin of the English word canopy.]