Blue Flower

among the Antients, was a kind of Cupboard, or Buffet. See BUFFET.

In this Sense Livy, describing the Luxury into which the Romans degenerated after the Conquest of Asia, says, They had their Abaci, Beds, &c. plated over with Gold. Dec. IV. Lib. ix.

The Word is Latin, but form'd from the Greek, άβαξ ; which among that People signify'd the same thing. Guichart goes higher : He derives άβαξ, from the Hebrew ךכא, extolli, to be elevated, rais'd ; and supposes its primary Signification to be a high Shelf, or other Convenience for things to be laid upon out of the way.