cestus
/ˈsɛstəs/
noun
- A hand covering worn by ancient Roman boxers, often made of leather and sometimes weighted with metal or spikes.
- Historians have found depictions of the cestus in mosaics from Pompeii.
- Ancient Roman boxers used the cestus to deliver more powerful blows.
- The gladiator wrapped the cestus tightly around his fists before the match.
- A belt or girdle, especially one worn by women in ancient Greece or Rome.
- In mythology, Aphrodite's magical cestus could inspire love.
- The bride wore a beautiful cestus embroidered with gold thread.
- The statue showed the goddess holding a cestus around her waist.