maniple

American  

[man-uh-puhl] / ˈmæn ə pəl /

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) a subdivision of a legion, consisting of 60 or 120 men.

2. Ecclesiastical. one of the Eucharistic vestments, consisting of an ornamental band or strip worn on the left arm near the wrist.

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maniple British  

/ ˈmænɪpəl /

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) a unit of 120 to 200 foot soldiers

2. Christianity an ornamental band formerly worn on the left arm by the celebrant at the Eucharist

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Etymology

Origin of maniple

1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin manipulus sudarium, Latin: military unit, literally, handful, equivalent to mani- (combining form of manus hand) + -pulus suffix of obscure origin; perhaps akin to plēnus full ¹

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Explanation

In the Roman Republic, a maniple was a military unit. A typical maniple was composed of 120 soldiers fighting in formations of three long lines. In the Roman military, a large unit called a legion would be divided into maniples. These smaller groups of infantry fighters were well suited to navigating the hilly terrain of central Italy. This was a change from previous traditions of larger fighting groups, and the word comes from the Latin manipulus, "a handful of soldiers." A second meaning of maniple is a kind of sash worn by a Catholic priest, originally carried in his hand as a "handful."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

maniple

Father Collins took off his chasuble and maniple and placed them upon the altar.

From The City and the World and Other Stories by Francis Clement Kelley

Celebrant and sung with the same impressive chant as on Palm-Sunday by three cantors wearing the alb, a black maniple and stole: they used formerly to recite it bare-footed.

From The Ceremonies of the Holy-Week at Rome by Charles Michael Baggs

"And yet I know you have heard that it was the men of my maniple who carried me away, senseless from the blow of a dead man."

From The Lion's Brood by Duffield Osborne

He stood receiving the pledges and plaudits, and repaying each protestation of loyalty with a few gracious words, or smiles, that were worth fifty talents to each acclaiming maniple.

From A Friend of Caesar A Tale of the Fall of the Roman Republic. Time, 50-47 B.C. by William Stearns Davis

It was therefore during these ten years that she caused this stole and maniple to be made for the Bishop Frithestan.

From Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Durham A Description of Its Fabric and A Brief History of the Espiscopal See by Joseph E. Bygate

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