I. Lit. (opp. to fastus): dies nefasti, days on which judgment could not be pronounced or assemblies of the people be held: fastis diebus jura fari licebat, nefastis quaedam non licebat fari, Paul. ex Fest. p. 93 Müll.: nefasti dies notantur N littera, quod iis nefas est praetori, apud quem lege agitur, fari tria verba: do, dico, addico, Paul. ex Fest. p. 165 Müll.; “v. 1. fastus: ille (Numa) nefastos dies fastosque fecit, quia aliquando nihil cum populo agi, utile futurum erat,” Liv. 1, 19, 7; Varr. L. L. 6, 4, 30; Ov. F. 1, 47; Gai. Inst. 4, 29.—
II. Transf.
A. For nefas, contrary to the sacred rites or to religion; irreligious, impious: QVAE AVGVR INIVSTA, NEFASTA, DEFIXERIT, Fragm. XII. Tab. ap. Cic. Leg. 2, 8 fin.: “prolibare dis nefastum habetur, etc.,” Plin. 14, 19, 23, § 119.—
2. In gen., wicked, profane, abandoned: homines ad hanc rem idonei; “nam istorum nullus nefastust,” Plaut. Poen. 3, 2, 7.—Esp., subst.: nĕfastum , i, n. (sc. crimen), a wicked deed, abomination, profanity (poet. and in post - Aug. prose): “quid intactum nefasti Liquimus?” profane, criminal, Hor. C. 1, 35, 35; Plin. 4, 11, 18, § 47.—
B. Unlucky, inauspicious = funestus, ater (not anteAug.): “ille et nefasto te posuit die, etc.,” Hor. C. 2, 13, 1: “cum diem natalem ejus (Agrippinae) inter nefastos referendum suasisset,” Suet. Tib. 53; Tac. A. 14, 12 init.: “ne qua terra sit nefasta victoriae suae,” Liv. 6, 28, 8: “Acheron,” Stat. Th. 4, 456: “loca,” id. ib. 1, 273: “religiosi dies dicuntur tristi omine infames ... quos multitudo imperitorum prave et perperam nefastos appellat,” Gell. 4, 9, 5.—
