forceps, cipis (gen. plur. forcipium, Lucil. ap. Charis. p. 74), m. and f. (m., Cels. 7, 12; 8, 4; f., Ov. M. 12, 277) [root in Sanscr. ghar-mas, glow, warmth; Gr. θερ-, θέρμη, θέρος; Lat. for-mus, for-nus, fornax and cap-io], a pair of tongs, pincers, forceps (cf.: forfex, volsella): forcipem invenit Cinyra Agriopae filius, Plin. 7, 56, 57, § 195. Lit.: Cyclopes versant tenaci forcipe ferrum, Verg. G. 4, 175; firetongs, id. A. 12, 404; Ov. M. 12, 277: uncis forcipibus dentes evelleret, Lucil. ap. Charis. p. 74 P.; pincers for drawing teeth, Cels. 7, 12; 8, 4; and for other surgical purposes, id. 7, 5; Col. 6, 26, 2: compressa forcipe lingua, Ov. M. 6, 556: ceu guttura forcipe pressus, id. ib. 9, 78: ferrei, iron tongs or hooks attached to a tackle, and which, by firmly grasping a mass of stone or marble, raise it aloft, Vitr. 10, 2 (al. forfices).

— Transf., a kind of battlearray, with diverging wings, Cato ap. Fest. s. v. serra, p. 344 Mull.; Gell. 10, 9, 1; Veg. Mil. 3, 18 (al. forfex).