πεσσός

English (LSJ)

Att. πεττ-, ὁ, heterocl. pl.

   A πεσσά S.Fr.429, Euph.61 :— oval-shaped stone for playing draughts or backgammon, usu. in pl. (λευκοῖο σημήϊα π. AP9.482.21 (Agath.)), πεσσοῖσι . . θυμὸν ἔτερπον Od.1.107, cf.Hdt.1.94 ; τοὶ μὲν ἵπποις... τοὶ δὲ πεσσοῖς . . τέρπονται Pi.Fr.129.4 ; πεττῶν θέσις Pl.R.333b ; ἐφηῦρε πεσσοὺς κύβους τε (sc. Palamedes) S. Fr.479.4 ; πόλεις πεσσῶν ὁμοίως διαφοραῖς ἐκτις μέναι as if moved from place to place like draughts, E.Fr.360.9; ἒν μὲν τόδ' ἡμῖν, ὥσπερ ἐν πεσσοῖς, δίδως κρεῖσσον you have given me a piece (as at chess), Id.Supp.409 ; κατὰ τὸν ἐν πεττοῖς νόμον Ar.Ec.987 ; πεττῶν δίκην τὰς κοινὰς ἐννοίας μετατιθείς Plu.2.1068c ; ἐν πεττοῖς καὶ κύβοις διημερεύειν ib.272f ; ἄζυξ ὢν ὥσπερ ἐν πεττοῖς Arist.Pol.1253a7.    2 the board on which the game was played, πεσσὰ πεντέγραμμα, since the pieces were placed on five lines, S.Fr.429.    3 οἱ π. the place in which the game was played, or the game itself, E.Med.68 ; ἔνθα Διὸς . . θᾶκοι π. τε καλοῦνται Cratin.7.    II medicated plug of wool or lint to be introduced into the vagina, anus, etc., pessary, Thphr.HP9.20.4, Dsc.1.106, 2.61, Cels.5.21, etc.    2 any oval body, π. ἐκ μολύβδου App.Mith.31.    3 ticket or tally showing attendance at an ἐκκλησία, JHS8.118 (Iasus).    4 bolt of a door, PMag.Lond.121.616, POxy. 2146.10 (iii A. D.).    III in Archit., cubic mass of building, terrace, Str.16.1.5, POxy.1272.6 (ii A. D.), Procop.Aed.1.1.37.    IV dark edge of the pupil (in the eye), Poll.2.71, Hsch.