versipellis

Latin > English (Lewis & Short)

versĭpellis: (vorsĭp-), e, adj. vertopellis, that changes its skin; hence, in gen.,
I that changes its shape or form, that alters its appearance, that transforms himself or itself.
I Lit.
   A In gen.: eccum Juppiter In Amphitruonis vertit sese imaginem ... Ita versipellem se facit, quando lubet, Plaut. Am. prol. 123: capillus fit, i. e. turns gray, id. Pers. 2, 2, 48 (v. s. v. versicapillus).—
   B In partic., subst.: ver-sĭpellis, is, m., acc. to the superstitious belief of the ancients, one who can change himself into a wolf, a man-wolf, were-wolf, Plin. 8, 22, 34, § 80; Petr. 62 fin.; App. M. 2, p. 124, 21.—
II Trop., skilled in dissimulation, sly, cunning, crafty, subtle (anteand post-class.): vorsipellem esse hominem convenit, pectus cui sapit: bonus sit bonis, malus sit malis, Plaut. Bacch. 4, 4, 12 Ritschl: quicum versipellis fio, Lucil. ap. Non. p. 38, 7: hortamen, Prud. Cath. 9, 91. —Comp., Porc. Latro ap. Cat. 9.