Centesimus Septuagesimus Secundus: July 31, 2009: Vindex
Theme for the remainder of the month: Alphabet Soup
vindex, vindicis m.
Definition: avenger, defender
Sententia: Ovid's Metamorphoses Book 8, l. 270-271
Causa petendi
sus* erat, infestae famulus vindexque Dianae.
The reason of seeking [Meleager seeking aid from Theseus] was a boar, a slave and defender of hostile Diana.
This is the story in the Metamorphoses just after "Daedalus and Icarus." Because Fama has spread the news of Theseus' great defeat of the Minotaur and cessation of the tribute for the Athenians, many ask him for aid. One such petitioner is Meleager, who wants, as this passage states, to defeat a wild sow sent by an angry Diana. Meleager also asks others such as Atalanta to help him defeat this wild beast, and more can be found about this story here. It's actually primarily about the relationship between Atalanta and Meleager.
"Vindex" is used in Catullus 64 and various times by Ovid. Etymologically, it comes from "vindico," "to defend." Surprisingly, this word when pronounced classically also sounds like a certain cleaning product. Perhaps this is because Windex is an avid avenger of surfaces against dirt?
NB: Bold and underline == macron