LIBATION

(Lat.libo, J;>tfMr.) The solemn pouring of wine and other liquids in the religious ceremonies of antiquity; in Greek trxivluv. Libation appears (if our translation is correct) to have been used in the earliest recorded sacrifice; for Abel offered milk (Gen.iv.4.): a daily libation of water was used by the Jews in the Feast "of Tabernacles; the burnt offering instituted by Moses was of wine. (Numb.vi.7.) The Grecian libations, in like manner, were of unmixed wine; but sacrifices to nymphs, Ceres, Proser pine, and some other deities, were attended by libations of oil and wine, . [s. 671]