Clavus

[Lat.] ( Antiq.) Among the Romans, an article of dre , which seems to have been a purple band worn upon the tunic and toga, and was of two fashions, one broad and the other narrow, denominated respectively clavus lat us and clavus angustus . The former was a single broad band of purple, extending perpendicularly from the neck down to the centre of the tunic; the latter probably consisted of two narrow purple slips, running parallel to each from the top to the bottom of the tunic, one from each shoulder. The lat us clavus was a distinctive badge of the senatorian order; and hence it is used to signify the senatorial dignity, and lati clavi us , the person who enjoys it. The angustus cla vus was the decoration of the equestrian order; but the right of wearing the lat us clavus was also given to the children of equestrians, at least in the time of August us, as a prelude to entering the senate-house. (Med.) A severe pain in the forehead, compared to the driving of a nail into the skull.