Custodia. The shrine or receptacle for the host in Spanish churches.
Cutlass, Coutel-hache, or Coutel-axe, O. E. This weapon was introduced at the end of the 15th century.
Cut-work. Also called “opus consutum;” Ital. “di commesso.” Open-work embroidery came into universal use in England in the 16th century. In the reign of Richard II., however, we are told,—
“Cut werke was greate both in court and townes,
Bothe in mene’s hoddies, and also in their gownes.”
(See Appliqué.)
Cyanogen. A gaseous compound of carbon and nitrogen, necessary to the formation of Prussian blue.
Cyathus, Gr. and R. A vase or ladle with one handle, used for taking wine from the crater (κρατὴρ), in order to fill the cups (pocula, calices) of the guests, at feasts and banquets. The term was also used to denote a small measure containing the twelfth part of the sextarius, or ·0825 of a pint. The cyathus was used in medicine to measure drugs with accuracy. [It is often represented, on vases, in the hands of Bacchus, in place of his proper goblet the Cantharus.]
Cybistic (dance), R. (κυβιστάω, to tumble). A part of the military exercises in which the performer threw himself at intervals on his hands, so as to rebound on his feet.
Cyclas, R. (κυκλὰς, circular). A long and loose piece of drapery, of a very fine texture; it was hemmed with purple or gold embroidery. The cyclas formed part of a woman’s costume, but it was also worn by men of an effeminate or dissolute character; hence—