Sambuca, sambúcæ, f. g. pe. pro. Vitru. lib. 6. cap. I. An instrument of musicke called a dulcimer. Also an engine of warre to batter walles. Nam vtin organo musico chordæ sic in machina intenduntur funes. Sambucam citius caloni aptaueris alto. Pers.
Lewis and Short: Latin dictionary
sambūca, ae, f., = sambu/kh.I.A triangular stringed-instrument of a very sharp, shrill tone (and hence of slight esteem), Plaut. Stich. 2, 2, 57; Scipio Afric. ap. Mácr. S. 2, 10; Pers. 5, 95; Spart. Hadr. 26; cf. Fest. pp. 324 and 325 Müll.; Isid. 3, 20, 7; Vulg. Dan. 3, 5.—II.Transf., a machine of like form used by besiegers; a sort of bridge for storming walls, Veg. Mil. 4, 21; Vitr. 10, 22; cf. Fest. 1. c.