Rom. Antiq. [ad. late L. lāticlāvium, lāticlāvus, f. lātus broad + clāvus purple stripe. (In cl.L. the term was latus clavus.)] A badge consisting of two broad purple stripes on the edge of the tunic, worn by senators and certain other classes of persons of high rank.
1658. in Phillips.
1739. Melmoth, Fitzosb. Lett. (1749), II. 125. When I was first invested with the laticlave.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., xvii. II. 30. The Roman knights who were distinguished by the permission of wearing the laticlave.
1793. A. Murphy, Tacitus (1805), VIII. 11. Pliny the younger shews, that the laticlave was a favour granted by the emperor on particular occasions.
1871. Farrar, Witn. Hist., iii. 100. A symbol more glorious than the laticlave of consuls or the diadem of kings.
transf. 1848. B. Webb, Continental Ecclesiol., 433. Angels who are in white, with laticlaves of gold.
