maniple noun. ['manɪp(ǝ)l] ME.
[Old French (mod. manipule) or Latin manipulus handful, troop of soldiers, from manus hand + elem. of unkn. origin.]
1. Ecclesiastical. In the Western Church, one of the Eucharistic vestments, consisting now of a strip worn suspended from the left arm near the wrist. Also called fanon. ME.

2. Roman History. A subdivision of the Roman legion, of which a cohort contained three, numbering 120 or 60 men. M16.
b. transf. A small band of soldiers of more or less definite number. L16-M17.

3. A handful. L16-E19.

4. A hand. joc. E19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲