θερμαστρίς
μαλθακωτέρα πέπονος σικύου → softer than a ripe melon
English (LSJ)
or θέρμαστρις (Hsch.), ἡ, IG22.1414.42; acc. θερμαστριν Roussel
A Cultes Égyptiens 220 (Delos, ii B.C.); gen. θερμαστρίδος Arist.Mech.854a24: acc. pl. θερμάστρεις LXX 3 Ki.7.26(40),31(45): for forms with -αυστρ- v. infr.:—tongs used by smiths to take hold of hot metal, Hsch.: generally, pincers, pliers, Arist.l.c. 2 metaph., a violent dance, in which the legs were crossed tong-fashion, Poll.4.102, Ath.14.630a, Hsch. (θερμαυστρίς codd. Poll., θαυυαστρεις cod. A Ath., θέρμαστρις Hsch.); cf. θερμαυστρίζω. II spike, clamp, Ath.Mech.34.4. III = θερμαντήρ, τὰς θερμάστρεις LXX Il.cc.; θερμαυστρίς and θερμαστρίς Poll.10.66; acc. θέρμαυστριν (prob. in this signf.) Eup.228: in IG and Roussel Il. cc. the signf. may be 1.1 or 111. (In signf. 1 prob. fr. θερμός, αὔω (A), cf. ἐξ-αύω: but the origin of signf. 111 and the form -αστρ- is not clear.)
