Lewis Short
vectis (noun M) : (acc. vectim, Varr. L. L. 5, 32, 153; abl. vecti, Prisc. p. 766; Serv. ad Verg. A. 9, 469), vectigal
* A strong pole or bar; esp.
* A lever: saxa quam maxima possunt vectibus promovent,Caes. B. C. 2, 11; 3, 40; Cic. N. D. 1, 8, 19.—In a trial of strength: (Pompeius) cum alacribus saltu, cum velocibus cursu, cum validis vecte certabat,Sall. H. 2, 11 dub. Dietsch N. cr.
* For moving machines, a handspike, Vitr. 6, 9.
* For carrying, a carryingpole, Claud. IV. Cons. Hon. 571.
* For breaking up or tearing down any thing, a crow, crow-bar: demoliri signum ac vectibus labefactare conantur,Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 43, § 94; Caes. B. C. 2, 11: cum vecti,Ter. Eun. 4, 7, 4; Hor. C. 3, 26, 7: vecte in pectus adacto,Ov. M. 12, 452.
* For fastening a door, a bar, bolt: cum ad eum (conjectorem) retulisset quasi ostentum, quod anguis domi vectem circumjectus fuisset: tum esset, inquit, ostentum, si anguem vectis circumplicavisset,Cic. Div. 2, 28, 62; Verg. A. 7, 609; Plin. 7, 56, 57, § 125.
Charlton T. Lewis, Charles Short, A Latin Dictionary