proceritas
ἐξ ὀνύχων λέοντα τεκμαίρεσθαι → judge by the claws, judge by a slight but characteristic mark, small traits give the clue to the character of a person, deduce something from a small indication, identify a lion from its claws
Latin > English (Lewis & Short)
prōcērĭtas: ātis, f. procerus,
I a high growth, height, tallness.
I Lit. (good prose): candor hujus te et proceritas, vultus oculique perpulerunt, his tall stature, Cic. Cael. 15, 36; so absol., Tac. A. 12, 44; 4, 57; Suet. Vit. 17; Gell. 9, 11; cf. corporis, Plin. Ep. 1, 10, 6; Just. 13, 1, 11.—Of plants: cum admiraretur proceritates arborum, Cic. Sen. 17, 59: palmetis est proceritas et decor, Tac. H. 5, 6: herbarum, height, Plin. 17, 4, 3, § 27: tiliae, id. 16, 14, 25, § 65: balsami, id. 12, 25, 54, § 113: tollentis se proceritate luxuriosā, id. 19, 8, 41, § 139.—
II Transf., in gen., length: quae (animalia) altiora sunt, ut anseres, ut cygni, ut cameli, adjuvantur proceritate collorum, Cic. N. D. 2, 47, 122: alces, ni proceritas aurium et cervicis distinguet, jumento similis, Plin. 8, 15, 16, § 39: pediculi (glandis) proceritas brevitasque, id. 16, 6, 8, § 23: rubri, id. 17, 13, 21, § 96: pedum, Cic. Or. 63, 212.
Latin > French (Gaffiot 2016)
prōcērĭtās,¹² ātis, f. (procerus),
1 allongement, longueur, forme allongée : Cic. Nat. 2, 122 ; Plin. 8, 39
2 haute taille : Cic. Cæl. 36 ; Plin. Min. Ep. 1, 10, 6 ; Tac. Ann. 12, 44
