fascinum

Latin > English (Lewis & Short)

fascĭnum: i, n. (-ĭnus, i, m.) quasi bascanum, βάσκανον, Cloat. Ver. ap. Gell. 16, 12, 4; but cf. Paul. ex Fest. p. 88, 16].
I A bewitching, witchcraft, Plin. 26, 10, 62, § 96; Symm. Ep. 1, 7.—
II Transf.
   A I. q. membrum virile (because an image of it was hung round the necks of children as a preventive against witchcraft; cf. Varr. L. L. 7, § 97 Müll.), Hor. Epod. 8, 18; Petr. 138; Arn. 5, 176.—Also in the form fascinus, i. m., Verg. Cat. 5, 20; and personified, Fascĭnus, i, as a deity, the Phallus, Plin. 28, 4, 7, § 39.—
   B A kind of sea-shell, App. Mag. p. 297, 11.