cestus

cestus — noun

1. an old word for a belt or sash worn by a woman, especially in classical stories

1.名詞C2
釋義

an old word for a belt or sash worn by a woman, especially in classical stories or descriptions of ancient dress.

例句

The statue showed a jeweled cestus fastened over the goddess's flowing robe.

wear a cestus over a robe

In the museum case, the silk cestus lay beside a pair of bronze sandals.

同義詞
  • girdle

    an old-fashioned literary word for a belt around the waist

  • sash

    usually a softer decorative band of cloth rather than a fixed historical term

  • belt

    the ordinary modern word; much less literary than cestus

文法句型

wear a cestus

tie a cestus around the waist

用法筆記

Mostly seen in translations of classical mythology or in descriptions of ancient costume. For ordinary modern clothing, English speakers normally say belt or sash instead.

2. a leather hand covering for ancient Roman fighters, often weighted with metal so

2.名詞C2
釋義

a leather hand covering for ancient Roman fighters, often weighted with metal so it struck like a weapon.

例句

The boxer strapped a heavy cestus onto his fist before the Roman match.

strap a cestus onto the fist

In the mosaic, one fighter lifted a studded cestus above his shoulder.

同義詞
  • gauntlet

    a protective armored glove, not specifically a Roman fighting weapon

  • brass knuckles

    a modern metal hand weapon with a similar damaging purpose

文法句型

wear a cestus on the hand

fight with a cestus

用法筆記

This is a historical term for brutal Roman boxing gear. Unlike a modern boxing glove, a cestus was designed to hurt the opponent rather than cushion the blow.