ancile

[ an-sahy-lee, ahng-kee-ley ]

/ ænˈsaɪ li, ɑŋˈki leɪ /

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noun, plural an·cil·i·a [an-sil-ee-uh, ahng-kil-]. /ænˈsɪl i ə, ɑŋˈkɪl-/. Roman Religion.

a shield given by Mars to Numa Pompilius as the palladium of Rome.

any of 11 counterfeits of this shield, carried with it on ceremonial occasions.

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Origin of ancile

1590–1600; <Latin ancīle, traditionally said to be equivalent to an- (variant of ambi-ambi- before c-) + -cīle (-cīd- combining form of caed(ere) to cut (cf. -cide) + *-sl- noun suffix + -e, earlier *-i, stem vowel for compounds), referring to the deep indentations in the waist of the shield

Words nearby ancile

ancient monument, Ancient Mystic Order Rosae Crucis, Ancient of Days, ancientry, ancient wisdom, ancile, ancilla, ancillary, ancipital, Ancohuma, ancon

Example sentences from the Web for ancile

Atque sole orto delabitur e caelo scisso scutum, quod ancile appellavit Numa.
Selections from Viri Romae|Charles Franois L'Homond
The first Ancile was supposed to have fallen from heaven in answer to the prayer of Numa Pompilius.
1000 Mythological Characters Briefly Described|Edward S. Ellis
Shortly after, Julian plainly accuses Christians of worshipping the wood of the Cross, though they refused to worship the ancile.
An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine|John Henry Cardinal Newman

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