I.a spot, blot, stain, blemish, defect.
I. Lit. (poet. and in post-Aug. prose): “tractata notam labemque remittunt Atramenta,” Hor. Ep. 2, 1, 235: “sine labe toga,” Ov. A. A. 1, 514: “purum et sine labe salinum,” Pers. 3, 25: “victima labe carens,” Ov. M. 15, 130: “aliqua corporis labe insignis,” Suet. Aug. 38: item quae (virgo) lingua debili sensuve aurium deminuta, aliave qua corporis labe insignita sit, Gell. 1, 12, 3.—
II. Trop., a stain, blot, stigma, disgrace, discredit: labes macula in vestimento dicitur, et deinde μεταφορικῶς transfertur in homines vituperatione dignos, Paul. ex Fest. p. 121 Müll. (freq. and class.): “animi labes nec diuturnitate evanescere, nec amnibus ullis elui potest,” Cic. Leg. 2, 10, 24: “saeculi labes atque macula,” id. Balb. 6, 15: “labem alicujus dignitati aspergere,” a stain, disgrace, id. Vatin. 6, 15: “labem alicui inferre,” id. Cael. 18, 42: “famae non sine labe meae,” Prop. 4 (5), 8, 20. “domus sine labe,” Juv. 14, 69: “vita sine labe peracta,” Ov. P. 2, 7, 49: “abolere labem prioris ignominiae,” Tac. H. 3, 24: “donec longa dies ... concretam eximit labem, purumque relinquit sensum,” Verg. A. 6, 746. —Of an immoral custom: “dedit hanc contagio labem,” Juv. 2, 78.—Plur.: “conscientiae labes habere,” Cic. Off. 3, 21, 85: “peccatorum labibus inquinati,” Lact. 4, 26; id. Ira Dei, 19.—
