lituus
[ lit-yoo-uh s ]
/ ˈlɪt yu əs /
noun, plural lit·u·i [lit-yoo-ahy] /ˈlɪt yuˌaɪ/.
Geometry.
a polar curve generated by the locus of a point moving so that the square of its radius vector varies inversely as the angle the radius vector makes with the polar axis. Equation: θr2 = a.
(in ancient Rome) a crook-shaped staff used by augurs for divination.
Origin of lituus
1605–15; < Latin; geometrical sense from the curve's resemblance to such a staff
Words nearby lituus
liturgical latin,
liturgics,
liturgiology,
liturgist,
liturgy,
lituus,
litvak,
litvinov,
litz wire,
litzmann obliquity,
liu pang
Example sentences from the Web for lituus
Lituus, li-tū′us, n. an augur's staff with recurved top: a spiral of similar form.
The Roman lituus, the chief ensign of the augurs, became the crozier.
History of the Conflict Between Religion and Science |John William DraperEckhel infers from the guttus and lituus on one of Sulla's coins that he was an Augur.
Plutarch's Lives, Volume II |Aubrey Stewart & George LongA Roman lituus, or clarion, was found near Tattershall Ferry.
Records of Woodhall Spa and Neighbourhood |J. Conway Walter