uncus¹

1. Curvus, or in prose mostly curvatus, denotes, as a general expression, all crookedness, from a slight degree of crookedness to a complete circle; uncus supposes a great degree of crookedness, approaching to a semi-circle, like the form of a hook; pandus, a slight crookedness, deviating but a little from a straight line, like that which slopes. 2. The curva form a continued crooked line; the incurva suppose a straight line ending in a curve, like ἐπικαμπής, the augur’s staff, for example, or the form of a man who stoops, etc. 3. Recurvus, reduncus, and repandus, denote that which is bent outwards; aduncus, that which is bent inwards. Plin. H. N. xi. 37. Cornua aliis adunca, aliis redunca. (v. 184.)