cestus
1[ ses-tuhs ]
/ ˈsɛs təs /
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noun, plural ces·ti [ses-tahy]. /ˈsɛs taɪ/.
a girdle or belt, especially as worn by women of ancient Greece.
Classical Mythology. the girdle of Venus, decorated with every object that could arouse amorous desire.
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Also especially British, ces·tos .
Origin of cestus
11570–80; <Latin <Greek kestós a girdle, literally, (something) stitched, equivalent to kes- (variant stem of kenteîn to stitch; see center) + -tos verbal adjective suffix
Words nearby cestus
Definition for cestus (2 of 2)
cestus2
[ ses-tuhs ]
/ ˈsɛs təs /
noun, plural ces·tus·es.Roman Antiquity.
a hand covering made of leather strips and often covered with metal studs, worn by boxers.
Origin of cestus
21725–35; <Latin cestus,caestus
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for cestus
British Dictionary definitions for cestus (1 of 2)
cestus1
cestos (ˈsɛstɒs)
/ (ˈsɛstəs) /
noun
classical myth the girdle of Aphrodite (Venus) decorated to cause amorousness
Word Origin for cestus
C16: from Latin, from Greek kestos belt, from kentein to stitch
British Dictionary definitions for cestus (2 of 2)
cestus2
caestus
/ (ˈsɛstəs) /
noun plural -tus or -tuses
(in classical Roman boxing) a pugilist's gauntlet of bull's hide loaded or studded with metal
Word Origin for cestus
C18: from Latin caestus, probably from caedere to strike, slay
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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