| 释义 |
‖ scytale Antiq.|ˈsɪtəliː|
Also 6 in Latin form scytala.
[Gr. σκυτάλη staff, also spec.: see below.]
A method of secret writing practised by the Spartans, consisting in writing the message on a strip of parchment wound spirally round a cylindrical or tapering staff, so that it became illegible when the parchment was unrolled, and could be read only by the use of a staff of precisely the right form and size. Hence, a secret dispatch conveyed by this method.
1580North Plutarch, Lysander (1595) 487 To him selfe they sent immediately that which they call Scytala... The Scytala is in this sort. When the Ephori doe send a Generall, or an Admirall to the warres, they cause two litle round staues to be made [etc.]... These two litle staues they call Scytales. Ibid., This litle scrowle of parchment also is called as the rowle of wodde, Scytala. 1640G. Watts tr. Bacon's Adv. Learn. vi. 268 A Spartan letter sent once in a Scytale or round cypher'd staffe. 1838Thirlwall Greece xxxvii. V. 17 A scytalé would at all times be sufficient to procure whatever they wished. |