maniple
Definition
- Noun:
- Ecclesiastical garment: A "maniple" is a liturgical vestment worn by clergy, especially in the Roman Catholic Church, consisting of a narrow strip of cloth worn over the left arm during Mass.
- Historical military unit: In ancient Rome, a "maniple" was a tactical subdivision of a Roman legion, typically comprising 60 to 120 soldiers.
Usage Examples
Ecclesiastical garment:
- The priest adjusted his maniple before beginning the ceremony. (A cloth band worn on the left arm during worship.)
- The maniple is often made of silk and matches the color of the chasuble. (A liturgical vestment with specific ceremonial color.)
Historical military unit:
- The Roman maniple was a flexible fighting unit that replaced the earlier phalanx. (A small infantry group in the Roman army.)
- Each maniple operated independently but coordinated with others in battle. (A 60–120 soldier formation in ancient Rome.)
Advanced Usage
"to wear the maniple": to perform a specific liturgical role.
- Only ordained priests wear the maniple during the Eucharist. (A sign of their clerical office.)
"maniple formation": a tactical arrangement used by the Roman army.
- The maniple formation allowed for greater mobility than the phalanx. (A military deployment of small units.)
Variants and Related Words
Manipular (adj): relating to a maniple, especially the Roman military unit.
- The manipular system improved legion flexibility. (Pertaining to the organization of maniples.)
Maniple (n, obsolete): a handful or small group (rare, from Latin manipulus meaning "handful").
- A maniple of soldiers gathered at the gate. (A small collection of people or things.)
Synonyms
- For ecclesiastical garment: stole (though a stole is a different vestment); band, strip.
- For military unit: company, platoon, squad.
Phrasal Verbs
- None directly associated with "maniple" as a noun.
Related Idioms
- None directly associated with "maniple" as a historical or liturgical term.