strigil

[strij-uhl]

noun

1. an instrument with a curved blade, used especially by the ancient Greeks and Romans for scraping the skin at the bath and in the gymnasium.

strigil

/ ˈstrɪdʒɪl /

noun

1. a curved blade used by the ancient Romans and Greeks to scrape the body after bathing

2. architect a decorative fluting, esp one in the shape of the letter S as used in Roman architecture

Other Word Forms

• strigilate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of strigil¹

1575–85; < Latin strigilis, akin to stringere to touch lightly; streak, strike

Word History and Origins

Origin of strigil¹

C16: from Latin strigilis, from stringere to graze

Example Sentences

Next they would move to the brightly-painted warm room, where oil would be rubbed into the skin, before being scraped off with a curved instrument called a strigil.

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In her hand, they have almost unanimously perceived a strigil, an ancient bathing tool for scraping filth from the body.

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Another holds a sponge for oils and a strigil, an instrument for scraping oil and sweat from the body.

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Customers at ancient Roman bathhouses attended poetry readings once they had cleansed pores with strigil scrapings.

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She rubbed her with oil, scraped her with a strigil, scrubbed her hands and feet with pumice, and washed her hair, pouring jug after jug of water over her.

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