in antiquity, the posture used by the Greeks and Romans at table. The body was extended, and the head resting on a pillow, or on the elbow.

The Romans at their meals made use of a low round table, around which two or three couches were placed in proportion to the number of guests; and hence it was called biclinium, or triclinium. These were covered with a sort of bed-cloaths, and furnished with quilts and pillows for leaning on. The guests reclined on the left side, the first at the head of the bed, with his feet behind the back of the second, &c. Before they came to table, they changed their cloaths, for what they called the canatoria vestis, the dining garment, and pulled off their shoes to keep the couch clean.