panoply

[ pan-uh-plee ]

/ ˈpæn ə pli /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR panoply ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural pan·o·plies.

a wide-ranging and impressive array or display: the dazzling panoply of the maharaja's procession; the panoply of European history.

a complete suit of armor.

a protective covering.

full ceremonial attire or paraphernalia; special dress and equipment.

Nearby words

pannus, panoan, panocha, panofsky, panophthalmia, panoply, panoptic, panopticon, panorama, panoramic camera, panoramic radiograph

Origin of panoply

1570–80; < Greek panoplía full complement of arms and armor, equivalent to pan- pan- + (h)ópl(a) arms, armor (cf. hoplite) + -ia -ia

Related forms

pan·o·plied, adjectiveun·pan·o·plied, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for panoply

While a panoply of other circuses operated, these grew even larger.
We’re All Carnies Now: Why We Can’t Quit the Circus|Anthony Paletta|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Just as at the weekend, a panoply of emergency personnel descended on the scene in October.
Casey Kasem's Family's Top 40 Meltdown Moments|Tim Teeman|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Destination,” meanwhile, presents a panoply of nightlife hotspots, serene beaches, and luscious vineyards.
South African Style and Substance|Paul Laster|June 28, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The procession of Lifeguards in their panoply of glittering helmets and breastplates was beautiful.
Story of My Life, volumes 1-3|Augustus J. C. Hare

The first Iris Temple was pictured in the panoply of a stage queen.
The Master's Violin|Myrtle Reed
Amongst those scowling and bearded men of middle age, arrayed in all the panoply of war, how many had perished in their harness!
William Shakespeare as he lived.|Henry Curling
He wore the panoply of war just as he did the first time he took me into his arms.
Joshua, Complete|Georg Ebers
On a richly chased ebon throne sat the viceroy in person, clad in all the panoply of power.
In the Ranks of the C.I.V.|Erskine Childers

British Dictionary definitions for panoply

panoply

/ (ˈpænəplɪ) /

noun plural -plies

a complete or magnificent array

the entire equipment of a warrior

Derived Forms

panoplied, adjective

Word Origin for panoply

C17: via French from Greek panoplia complete armour, from pan- + hopla armour, pl of hoplon tool

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012