Chytropus, Chytropous, Gr. (χυτρό-πους, lit. a pot-foot). A chytra with three or four feet.
Cibilla. (See Cilliba.)
Ciborium, Gr., R., and Chr. (κιβώριον, the pod of the καλοκασία, or Egyptian bean). (1) A drinking-vessel so called because it resembled the Egyptian bean in shape. (2) In Christian archæology a kind of baldachino or canopy, supported by a varying number of columns, which forms the covering of the high altar in a church. Called also the Tabernacle, Sacrament house, God’s house, or holyroof. (See Severey.) (3) Ciborium also signifies a vessel in which the consecrated wafer is “reserved.”
Ciclatoun or Siklatoun. The Persian name, adopted in England, for a textile of real gold thread; 12th century.
Ciconia, R. (lit. a stork). (1) A sign made in dumb show by bending the forefinger into the form of a stork’s neck. (2) An instrument, in shape like an inverted T, employed by farmers to make sure that trenches dug by the spade were of uniform depth. (3) Ciconia composita was the name given to a more elaborate instrument of the same kind invented by Columella.
Cicuta, R. (i. e. lit. the hemlock). A term used by analogy to denote anything made out of the hemlock plant, especially the Pan’s pipes.
Cidaris, Gen. (κίδαρις or κίταρις, a Persian tiara). A sort of diadem or royal bonnet worn by Eastern princes. It was tall, straight and stiff in shape, and was ornamented with pearls or precious stones. The same name was also applied to the bonnet worn at ceremonies by the high priest of the Jews. (See Tiara.)
Cilery, Arch. Drapery or foliage carved on the heads of columns.
Cilibantum, R. (See Cilliba.) A stand or table with three legs.
Cilicium, R. (1) A coarse cloth made of goat’s hair, and manufactured in Cilicia. It was much used in the army and navy: in the former for making the soldiers’ tents; in the latter for clothes for the sailors or for sails. (2) During the time of mourning, or when suffering under any calamity, the Jews put on a kind of cilicium made of coarse canvas. (3) A cloth mattress stuffed with sea-weed or cow-hair, which was placed outside the walls of besieged cities to deaden the blows of the battering-ram or of projectiles. (4) In Christian archæology the cilicium or hair-shirt is a sleeveless jacket made with a material of horsehair and coarse hemp. The Dominicans, Franciscans, and certain Carthusians wear the cilicium to mortify the flesh.