I. Abstr.
A. In milit. lang. (cf. contubernalis, I.).
1. Tent-companionship, a dwelling together in a tent: “legionum,” with the legions, Tac. A. 1, 41; id. H. 2, 80.—
b. Concr., a body of soldiers occupying a tent together, a mess, squad: “erant decani decem militibus propositi, qui nunc caput contubernii vocantur,” Veg. Mil. 2, 8; 2, 13.—
2. The intercourse of a young man and the general accompanied by him in war, attendance, Cic. Planc. 11, 27; Sall. J. 64, 4; Liv. 42, 11, 7; Tac. Agr. 5 al.—
B. Transf. from the sphere of milit. operations.
1. The accompanying, attendance (of teachers, friends, etc.), Suet. Aug. 89; id. Tib. 14; 56; Tac. Or. 5 al.—
2. In partic.,
(β).
Ironically, in distinction from conubium: “contubernium muliebris militiae,” concubinage, Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 40, § 104; Petr. 92, 4; Suet. Caes. 49 al. —
b. Of animals, a dwelling together, Phaedr. 2, 4, 4; cf.: “si hominis contubernium passa est (bestia immanis),” Sen. Ira, 3, 8, 2.— *
c. Trop.: “felicitatis et moderationis dividuum contubernium est,” dwell not, exist not together, Val. Max. 9, 5 fin.—
II. Concr. (acc. to I. A. and B.).
2. The dwelling of a couple who are slaves, a slave dwelling, Tac. H. 1, 43; 3, 74.—
3. Of bees, Plin. 11, 11, 10, § 26.