cestus
1[ses-tuh s]
|
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.
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
cestus
2[ses-tuh s]
noun, plural ces·tus·es. Roman Antiquity.
Origin of cestus
21725–35; < Latin cestus, caestus
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for cestus
Historical Examples of cestus
Venus has lent her her cestus, and shares with her the attendance of the Graces.
The History of Emily MontagueFrances Brooke
Her cestus or girdle holds all the magic of passion, and is borrowed even by Hera when she wishes to win her fickle lord.
Myth, Ritual And Religion, Vol. 2 (of 2)Andrew Lang
Tom has been a sailor—a coal heaver—and some other genteel profession, before he took to the cestus.
Life of Lord Byron, Vol. IIThomas Moore
Cestus, ses′tus, n. the girdle of Venus, which had power to awaken love: an ancient boxing-glove loaded with lead or iron.
This cestus was a fine parti-coloured girdle, which, as Homer tells us, had all the attractions of the sex wrought into it.
The Tatler, Volume 3Various
cestus
1cestos (ˈsɛstɒs)
noun
Word Origin for cestus
C16: from Latin, from Greek kestos belt, from kentein to stitch
cestus
2caestus
noun plural -tus or -tuses
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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