picus

Latin > English (Lewis & Short)

pīcus: i, m. perh. root pingo; cf. pica.
I A woodpecker, one of the birds used in augury, Plaut. As. 2, 1, 12: sunt et parvae aves uncorum unguium, ut pici, Martio cognomine insignes et in auspicatu magni, Plin. 10, 18, 20, § 40; 11, 37, 44, § 122; Non. 518, 24.—
II A fabulous bird, the griffin: picos veteres esse voluerunt, quos Graeci γρύπας appellant. Plautus Aulularia (4, 8, 1): pici divitiis, qui aureos montes colunt, Ego solus supero, Non. 152, 7 sq.