the protecting divinity of thieves and impostors; a grove was sacred to her on the via Salaria, and she had an altar near the porta Lavernalis, which derived its name from her. (Arnob. ad v. Gent. 3.26; Nonius, 8.6; Acron, ad Horat. Ep. 1.16, 60; Varro, De L. L. 5.163; Fest. s. v. Laverniones.) The name of this divinity, which is said to be a contraction of Lativerna, is, according to some, connected with the verb latere, or with the Greek λαβεῖν and the Sanscrit labh, but it is more probably derived from levare and levator (a thief). See Petron. 140; Obbarius, ad Horat. Ep. 1.16. 60.
[L.S]A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology
Smith, William
A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890