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 Words From

• strig·il·ate [strij, -, uh, -lit, -leyt], 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

A bronze strigil lay across the threshold, where it had been dropped in someone's hasty flight.

From Project Gutenberg

Galen generally followed the teaching of Hippocrates on gymnastics, and wrote a whole book on the merits of using the strigil.

From Project Gutenberg

The guttus was a small vessel with a narrow neck adapted for dropping oil on the strigil to lubricate its working edge.

From Project Gutenberg

Beside him, a diminutive figure of a nude boy holding a strigil.

From Project Gutenberg

Having warmed the fat of a squirrel in a strigil, instil it.

From Project Gutenberg