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.
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