| Part of Speech | Definition | |
| Noun | 1. A depression in the sphenoid bone; the pituitary fossa.[Websters]
2. A saddle-shaped cavity to contain the winter eggs, situated on the back of Cladocera.[Websters]. | |
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"EPHIPPIUM" is a common misspelling or typo for: eohippus. |
Date "EPHIPPIUM" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1914. (references) |
| Etymology:Ephippium \E*phip"pi*um\, noun. [Latin expression, saddle cloth, from the Greek expression 'epi` on horse.]. (references) |
Specialty Definition: EPHIPPIUM
| Domain | Definition | ||
| Antiquities | Ephippium (ephippion or ephippeion). A saddlecloth or pad. The saddle with a “tree†was unknown till the fourth century, although the packsaddle seems to be of much earlier occurrence. In the absence of stirrups (later staffae, stapides, etc.), which are not mentioned till the emperor Mauricius (A.D. 602), there were several ways of mounting--as jumping with or without the aid of a lance-shaft, with the assistance of others (anaboleis), or from steps (anabathra). The last were set up, according to Plutarch, along the main roads by C. Gracchus. Or, the horse was taught to kneel at the word of command (Sil. Ital. x. 465). In more ancient art the horse is represented ridden bare-backed. Later, saddle-cloths, often double or with pads beneath, and fastened with one to three girths, appear with increasing frequency. The most elaborate trappings of this kind are seen on Scythian antiquities of the fourth century B.C. The use of trappings was originally regarded as effeminate by the Romans (Varro on Cato, De Lib. Educ.), but they were used in pomps. Their development may be seen by a comparison of the examples appearing on the columns of Trajan, Antoninus, and Theodosius. On the first and second, and in the equestrian statue of M. Aurelius, are to be seen cloths alone, and pads filling up the hollow of the horse's back with and without cloths. It is only on the Theodosian Column that the true saddle, with a bow behind and before, appears for the first time. The new name sella now emphasizes the new fashion. (references) | ||
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | Top | ||
Common Expressions: EPHIPPIUM
| Expressions | Definition | ||
| Anomia ephippium | Thin-shelled bivalve having the right valve deeply notched. Source: Wordnet 3.0 Copyright © 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. | ||
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | Top | ||
