cortīna, ae, f., a round vessel, a kettle, caldron (for cooking, liquids, etc.), Cato, R. R. 66, 1; Plin. 15, 6, 6, 22 al.; 36, 26, 65, 191; Plaut. Poen. 5, 5, 12.—B. In partic., the tripod of Apollo, in the form of a caldron, Verg. A. 3, 92; 6, 347; Ov. M. 15, 635.—Hence, also, a tripod as a sacred offering, Suet. Aug. 52.—II.Meton., of any thing caldron-shaped, an arch, a circle (very rare); the cault of heaven, Enn. ap. Varr. L. L. 7, 48 Müll. N. cr. (Ann. v. 9 Vahl.); the circle of a theatre, Auct. Aetn. 295; and prob. also a circle of hearers, Tac. Or. 19 dub. (v. Andresen in h. l.).—B.A curtain: decem cortinae de bysso retortā, Vulg. Exod. 26, 1.