LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum
noun · femininefirst declension

chēlē

chēlē f (genitive chēlēs)
Classical[ˈkʰeː.ɫeː]Ecclesiastical[ˈkɛː.le]

Meaning

  1. claw-shaped mechanism, trigger

Declension

declension
formsingularplural
nominativechēlēchēlae
genitivechēlēschēlārum
dativechēlaechēlīs
accusativechēlēnchēlās
ablativechēlēchēlīs
vocativechēlēchēlae

chēlē, ēs, f., = χηλή (the claws or arms of animals). *
I. In mechanics, the claw-shaped part of the ballista, the trigger: manicula, Vitr. 10, 15 and 17.—
II. Plur.: chēlae, ārum, f.; in astron., lit. the arms of Scorpio; but, since these extend into Libra, meton. Libra, Verg. G. 1, 33; Cic. Arat. 293; Col. 10, 56; Luc. 1, 659; Manil. 4, 203; cf. Claud. Cons. Mall. Theod. 120.

Origins

From Ancient Greek χηλή (khēlḗ).

Descendants
  • Englishchela
  • Frenchchèle
  • Italianchela

In English words that came into English from chēlē

  • chelachēlē
  • cheliferchēlē

In the Academy Smith's classical dictionaries

AntiquitiesCheleChele (χηλή), derived from χα-, to gape (Vaniĉek, 237). Thus it is used for cracks in the feet (Poll. 4.198), for a cloven hoof (Eur. Bacch. 619), and…

Quick answers

What does chēlē mean in Latin?
chēlē, a noun, means “claw-shaped mechanism, trigger”.
What is the genitive of chēlē?
The genitive singular is chēlēs. chēlē is feminine, first declension.
How do you pronounce chēlē?
In classical Latin, [ˈkʰeː.ɫeː]; in ecclesiastical (church) Latin, [ˈkɛː.le].