a girdle or belt, especially as worn by women of ancient Greece.
2.
Classical Mythology. the girdle of Venus, decorated with every object that could arouse amorous desire.
Also, especially British, cestos.
Origin
1570-80; < Latin < Greekkestós a girdle, literally, (something) stitched, equivalent to kes- (variant stem of kenteîn to stitch; see center) + -tos verbal adjective suffix
cestus2
[ses-tuh s] /ˈsɛs təs/
noun, plural cestuses. Roman Antiquity
1.
a hand covering made of leather strips and often covered with metal studs, worn by boxers.
Origin
1725-35; < Latincestus,caestus
British Dictionary definitions for cestus
cestus1
/ˈsɛstəs/
noun
1.
(classical myth) the girdle of Aphrodite (Venus) decorated to cause amorousness
Word Origin
C16: from Latin, from Greek kestos belt, from kentein to stitch
cestus2
/ˈsɛstəs/
noun (pl) -tus, -tuses
1.
(in classical Roman boxing) a pugilist's gauntlet of bull's hide loaded or studded with metal
Word Origin
C18: from Latin caestus, probably from caedere to strike, slay