E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Cicuta.
In Latin cicta means the length of a reed up to the knot, such as the internodes made into a Pan-pipe. Hence Virgil (Ecl. ii. 36) describes a Pan-pipe as “septem compacta cictis fistula.” It is called Cow-bane, because cows not unfrequently eat it, but are killed by it. It is one of the most poisonous of plants, and some think it made the fatal draught given to Socratês.
1
“Sicut cicuta homini venenum est, sic cicutæ vinum.”—Pliny, xiv. 7.
ta means the length of a reed up to the knot, such as the internodes made into a Pan-pipe. Hence Virgil (Ecl. ii. 36) describes a Pan-pipe as “septem compacta cic
re cicutæ.”
