strigil

American  

[strij-uhl] / ˈstrɪdʒ əl /

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 British  

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of strigil

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

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.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2025

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

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2024

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

From New York Times • Apr. 19, 2023

After competing, athletes returned to the locker room to scrape the oil and sweat from their bodies with an instrument made for this purpose, a strigil.

From New York Times • Jul. 22, 2016

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.

From "Tiger, Tiger" by Lynne Reid Banks