Lewis & Short

histrio, ōnis, m. [Etrusc. prim. form HISTER, Liv. 7, 2, 6; Val. Max. 2, 4, 4; whence histricus and histriculus], a stage-player, actor, either tragic or comic (syn.: actor, mimus, tragoedus, comoedus).

  1. I. Lit.: quod verbum in cavea dixit histrio, Plaut. Truc. 5, 39; Liv. 7, 2; Val. Max. 2, 4, 4; Cic. Fin. 3, 7, 24; id. Par. 3, 2, 26; id. de Or. 1, 5, 18; 1, 61, 258; id. de Sen. 19, 70; Plaut. Am. prol. 69; 77 sq.; id. Capt. prol. 13 et saep.: ex pessimo histrione bonum comoedum fieri, Cic. Rosc. Com. 10, 30; cf.: vidi ego saepe histriones atque comoedos, cum, etc., Quint. 6, 2, 35 Spald.: patina Aesopi tragoediarum histrionis, Plin. 35, 12, 46, § 163: M. Ofilius Hilarus comoediarum histrio, id. 7, 53, 54, § 185: tragicus, id. 10, 51, 72, § 141: quod non dant proceres dabit histrio, Juv. 7, 90.
  2. * II. Transf., a boaster: histrionis est parvam rem attollere, Cels. 5, 26, 1.