καρκίνος

A. crab, Epich. 53, Hellanic. 103 J., S. Ichn. 298, Ar. Eq. 608, Pl. Euthd. 297c, Batr. 299; κ. ποδήνεμοι Crates Com. 29.3: various species distinguished, Arist. HA 525a34, cf. 601a17, al.: prov., οὔποτε ποιήσεις τὸν καρκίνον ὀρθὰ βαδίζειν Ar. Pax 1083; εἴς μ’ ὁρεῦσα καρκίνου μέζον 'with saucer-eyes', Herod. 4.44.

II. Cancer, as a sign in the zodiac, Eudox. ap. Hipparch. 1.2.18, Euc. Phaen. p.10 M., Arat. 147, etc.

III. eating sore or ulcer, cancer, = καρκίνωμα, Hp. Aph. 6.38, D. 25.95, Gal. 10.83.

IV. from like ness of shape to crab's claws,

1. pair of pincers, Aen.Tact. 20.3, 32.5, IG 11(2).165.11 (Delos, iii B.C.), AP 6.92 (Phil.), Ath. 10.456d; κ. σιδηροῦς POxy. 521.14 (ii A.D.); used as an instrument of torture, D.S. 20.71: in Surgery, forceps, κ. ἰατρικός IG 22.47.16: metaph., λήψεται τὸν τράχηλον ἐντόνως ὁ κ. E. Cyc. 609.

2. = ζυγώματα, bones of the temples, Poll. 2.85.

3. a kind of shoe, Pherecr. 178.

4. a kind of bandage, Heliod. ap. Orib. 48.54 tit., Gal. 18(1).777.

5. pair of compasses, Ph. Bel. 55.25, Ph. 2.192, Gal. Opt.Doctr. 3, S.E. M. 10.54: heterocl. pl., καρκίνα σπειροῦχα AP 6.295.5 (Phan.).

6. still, implied in καρκινοειδής 11 (q. v.).

V. pr. n. of Attic tragedian, hence prov., Καρκίνου ποιήματα, = τὰ αἰνιγματώδη, Men. 525; Megarian pr. n. Κερκίνος SIG 201.12 (iv B.C.). (Cf. Lat. cancer, Skt. karka[tnull ]as 'crab'.)