I.gen. plur.: “famulum,” Stat. S. 3, 4, 57; Val. Fl. 1, 752; 3, 20; 282) f. Sanscr. root dhā, to lay, found; Gr. τί-θη-μι; Osc. faama, house, v. Georg Curtius Gr. Etym. p. 254; cf. Corss. Ausspr. 1, 183, a servant, attendant; a maid - servant, handmaid (class.).
I. Masc.: “iis, qui vi oppressos imperio coërcent, sit sane adhibenda saevitia, ut heris in famulos,” Cic. Off. 2, 7, 24; Enn. ap. Fest. p. 229 Müll. (Ann. v. 157 ed. Vahl.); Plaut. As. 1, 3, 32; id. Mil. 2, 3, 80; id. Stich. 2, 2, 71; Cic. Lael. 15, 55; id. Tusc. 2, 21, 48; id. Rep. 2, 21; Verg. A. 1, 701; Hor. C. 3, 17, 16; Ov. H. 20, 79 et saep.: “Idaeae matris famuli,” Cic. Leg. 2, 9, 21: “sacrorum,” Ov. M. 3, 574: “dei alumni (Silenus),” Hor. A. P. 239: “sus erat infestae famulus vindexque Dianae,” Ov. M. 8, 272; cf. Verg. A. 5, 95; “of Actaeon's hounds,” Ov. M. 3, 229; Vulg. Gen. 41, 12.—
II. Fem.: “quam famulae longe fugitant furtimque cachinnant,” Lucr. 4, 1176; Verg. A. 1, 703; 4, 391; Juv. 14, 81 al.: “si virtus famula fortunae est,” Cic. Tusc. 5, 1, 2: “res familiaris, quae est ministra et famula corporis,” id. ib. 1, 31, 75; Vulg. Gen. 12, 16.