A.anything written beside, marginal note or sign, to mark the close of a sentence, Isoc.15.59, Hyp.Dem.Fr.(c), Arist.Rh. 1409a20; to mark that a passage is spurious, Luc.Pr.Im.24; in a drama, to indicate the change of persons, Sch.Ar.Ra.1479, Pax 443; stage-direction, cj. in Ath.10.453c.
2. entry in a register of debts or liabilities, PHib.1.40.14 (iii B. C.), PTeb.188 (ii/i B. C.), etc.
II. exception taken by the defendant to the admissibility of a suit, special plea, demurrer, Isoc.18.1,20, D.35.45, Poll.8.57,58; “π. διδόναι” D.34.17; opp. εὐθυδικίᾳ εἰσιέναι, Id.45.6; “τὰς π. ἀντιλαγχάνειν” Id.37.33: coupled with ὑπωμοσία, Id.21.84 (pl.): metaph., of argument, counterplea, Gal.19.170.
2. in Roman Law, μακρᾶς νομῆς π., = longae possessionis praescriptio, Mitteis Chr.374 (iii A. D.); “χρονία π.” Just.Nov.30.7 Intr.; also, = exceptio, ib.94.1.
III. Rhet., brief summary of one subject before passing on to another, Sch.Il.16.1, Eust.107.46.