in the Roman armies, certain supernumerary soldiers, designed to supply the places of those who should be killed or anywise disabled. They were thus denominated, *quia accenchantur*, or *ad centum adscripti*; Vegetius calls them *supernumerarii legionum*. Cato calls them *ferentarii*, in regard they furnished those engaged in battle with weapons, drink, &c. Though Nonnius suggests another reason of that appellation, viz., because they fought with stones, flings, and weapons *qua ferrantur*, such as are thrown, not carried in the hand. They were sometimes also called *velites*, and *veloti*, because they fought clothed, but not in armour; sometimes *adscripti*, and *adscripti*; sometimes *rariti*. The *accensi*, Livy observes, were placed at the rear of the army, because no great matter was expected from them: they were taken out of the fifth class of citizens.

**ACCensi**, in antiquity, denotes an inferior order of officers, appointed to attend the Roman magistrates, somewhat in the manner of usher, servants, or tip-slaves among us. They were thus called from *accire*, to send for; one part of their office being to call assemblies of the people, summon parties to appear and answer before the judges, &c.

**ACCensi**, was also an appellation given to a kind of adjutants, appointed by the tribune to assist each centurion and decurion. In which sense, *accensus* is synonymous with *optio*.—In an ancient inscription, given by a Torre, we meet *Accensus Equitum Romano-rum*; an office no where else heard of. That author suspects it for a corruption; and instead thereof reads, A CENSIBUS.