Cestus

Cestus, (1) the thongs wound round their hands and arms by Greek and Roman boxers, to give greater strength and force to their blows. Under the Roman Empire those used in the games were most formidable instruments, heavily loaded with lead and iron and sometimes studded with nails. There were several kinds. A single blow from the heaviest was sufficient to cause death. (2) A kind of girdle worn by women; especially (in mythology) the fabled girdle of Venus (Aphrodite) adorned with amorous devices.