Definition

A small group of soldiers in an ancient Roman army or a decorative piece of cloth worn by priests.

Example

The maniple was an important part of the Roman military structure, allowing for more flexible troop movements.

Conversation

I was reading about ancient Roman armies, and I came across the term maniple.

Oh really? What does that mean exactly?

It's a subdivision of a legion, usually made up of either 60 or 120 soldiers.

That’s interesting! I love learning about history like that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Maniple is derived from the Latin "manipulus" (meaning a handful or a small unit of soldiers), which is composed of "manus" (meaning hand) and "-ipulus" (a diminutive suffix). The term originally referred to a small group or handful of soldiers, and later came to denote a liturgical vestment in the Catholic Church that is worn on the arm, symbolizing the work of the hands.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'handful' ('manus') of soldiers when remembering that 'maniple' refers to a small unit or a vestment worn on the arm.

Visually Confused Words