noun

fossor

gen. fossōris · gender masculine · decl. 3rd

a digger; delver; ditcher

a digger, delver, ditcher.

poetic •

In gen. (poet. and in post-Aug. prose): et labefacta movens robustus jugera fossor, Verg. G. 2, 264: squalidus in magna compede fossor, Juv. 11, 80; Hor. C. 3, 18, 15; Mart. 7, 71, 4; Col. 11, 2, 38: ceu septa novus jam moenia laxet Fossor, i. e. a miner, sapper, Stat. Th. 2, 419.—

in particular

A miner; workman in a mine

A miner, workman in a mine, Vitr. 7, 8, 1; Calp. Ecl. 4, 118 (cf. aurifossor).—

a grave-digger

In late Lat., a grave-digger, Inscr. Orell. 4925 al.; cf. fossa, I. B. 3.—

a fornicator

In mal. part., a fornicator, Aus. Ep. 49; cf. fossa, I. B. 4.—

a common laborer; a clown by extension •

Transf., in gen., in a contemptuous signif., a common laborer, a clown, Cat. 22, 10: cum sis cetera fossor, Pers. 5, 122.

Perseus ID: n18662 Key: fossor