Pelican tearing open her breast to feed her young with her own blood was an early symbol of the Redemption and of the virtue of Charity. As a device it was borne by William of Orange, with the appropriate motto “Pro lege, grege et rege” (for the law, the people, and the king); a slight modification of that of Alphonso the Wise. (Fig. [531].) It is described in Heraldry as “a pelican in its piety.”
Pelisse (from pellis, a skin). A robe made of fur.
Pellet, Her. A black ROUNDLE.
Pellicatus, R. (pellis, a skin). Literally, covered with skin. The term was specially applied to earthenware vessels which were covered over with skin in order to keep the provisions they held fresh.
Pellitus, R. (pellis, skin). Clothed by means of skins; dressed in furs.
Pelluvia, Pelluvium, R. (pes, a foot, and luo, to wash). A basin in which the feet were washed, in contradistinction to the vessel called malluvium.
Pelta, Gr. (πέλτη). A small shield made of some light material, such as wood or wicker-work, and covered with leather. In shape it was sometimes elliptical, but more often cut away at the top, so that at that part it resembled a crescent. (Compare Clipeus.)
Pelvis, R. A general term used in ancient times to denote any kind of circular-shaped vessel. The term corresponded to the Greek πελίκα.
Penates (penus, food). Household gods who were believed by the ancients to be the bestowers of all the worldly blessings enjoyed by a family.
Pencil. A collection of rays of light converging to a point is so called.