sagum
Δελφῖνα νήχεσθαι διδάσκεις: ἐπὶ τῶν ἐν ἐκείνοις τινὰ παιδοτριβούντων, ἐν οἷς ἤσκηται → Teaching dolphins to swim: is applied to those who are teaching something among people who are already well versed in it
Latin > English (Lewis & Short)
săgum: i, n. (ante-class. collat. form săgus, i, m., corresp. to the Greek, Enn. and Varr. ap. Non. 223, 30 sq.; Afran. ap. Charis. p. 81 P.;
I fem.: sagas caerulas, Enn. ap. Charis. p. 81 P.; but it would perh. be more correct to read sagos caerulos; cf. Enn. p. 182, 54 Vahl.), = σάγος [acc. to Polybius, a Celtic word, whence the Engl. shag], a coarse woollen blanket or mantle (cf. laena), e. g. of servants, Cato, R. R. 59; Col. 1, 8, 9; Dig. 34, 2, 23 fin.; of the Germans, Tac. G. 17; for horses, Veg. Vet. 1, 42, 4; 3, 15, 16; but most freq. of soldiers, a military cloak: valde metuo ne frigeas in hibernis ... praesertim qui sagis non abundares, Cic. Fam. 7, 10, 2; Caes. B. C. 1, 75; Liv. 10, 30 fin.: saga fibulatoria, Treb. Pol. Trig. Tyr. 10.—Hence, saga is a sign of war (as toga is a sign of peace) in the phrases:
a Saga sumere, to put on the saga, i.q. to take up arms, prepare for battle (it was the custom for all Romans to do this, in token of preparation for war, even those who were not going to the field, excepting persons of consular rank; cf. Cic. Phil. 8, 11, 32; id. Fragm. ap. Non. 538, 27): tumultum decerni, justitium edici, saga sumi dico oportere, delectum habere, etc., id. Phil. 5, 12, 31; 14, 1, 2; Liv. Epit. 72: terrā marique victus hostis punico Lugubre mutavit sagum, Hor. Epod. 9, 28; in sing., of an individual: tum iste (Verres) excitatus sagum sumit, Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 36, § 94.—
b In the same signif.: ad saga ire, Cic. Phil. 14, 1, 1; cf. Vell. 2, 16, 3.—
c In sagis esse, to be under arms: cum est in sagis civitas, Cic. Phil. 8, 11, 32.—
d Saga ponere, to lay down one's arms, Liv. Epit. 73.—
II In gen. (eccl. Lat.), a covering.
1 A curtain, tent-cover, Vulg. Exod. 26, 7; 36, 14, etc.—
2 A garment, Vulg. Judic. 3, 16.
Latin > French (Gaffiot 2016)
săgum,¹¹ ī, n., sayon ou saie,
1 sorte de manteau des Germains : Tac. G. 17
2 vêtement des esclaves : Cato Agr. 59 ; Col. Rust. 1, 8, 9
3 sayon, casaque militaire des Romains], habit de guerre : saga sumere Cic. Phil. 5, 31, prendre les armes, cf. 14, 2 ; esse in sagis Cic. Phil. 8, 32, être sous les armes ; ire ad saga Cic. Phil. 14, 1, courir aux armes ; saga ponere Liv. Per. 73, déposer les armes ; [en parl. d’une seule pers.] sagum sumere Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 94, endosser l’habit de guerre
4 (gros drap, couverture : distento sago in sublime jactare Suet. Oth. 2, berner.
