faelis N F

* * *

fēles, is (in Varr. and Cic. faelis in best MSS.; nom. felis, Plaut. Rud. 3, 4, 43; Plin. 6, 29, 35, § 178), f. [root fe-, v. felix; prop., she that bears young], a cat:

Aegyptii quamvis carnificinam prius subierint, quam aut faelem aut canem aut crocodilum violent,

Cic. Tusc. 5, 27, 78; id. N. D. 1, 29, 82; id. Leg. 1, 11, 32; Phaedr. 2, 4, 2; Plin. 10, 73, 94, § 202; 11, 37, 65, § 172; Ov. M. 5, 330 al.—

Transf., a marten, ferret, polecat, Varr. R. R. 3, 11, 3; Col. 8, 14, 9.—

Trop., one who inveigles, a mouser, seducer (very rare):

feles virginalis,

girl - thief, Plaut. Rud. 3, 4, 43:

feles virginaria,

id. Pers. 4, 9, 14:

pullaria,

Aus. Epigr. 70.