What does maniple mean?
A maniple is a term with two distinct histories. In ancient Rome, it denoted an infantry unit of the legion, traditionally numbering 120 men under a centurion and itself divided into smaller sections called centuries. The term survives mainly in historical discussion of Roman military organization. In Christian liturgical usage, a maniple is a long, narrow band of fabric worn over a bishop's left forearm, closely resembling a stole. This second sense comes from the same Latin word for a handful and reflects the traditional symbolism of the bishop's pastoral office. Although the two meanings look unrelated in practice, both are found in English reference works, and context usually makes the intended sense clear. The word is uncommon in general conversation but useful when reading Roman history or reports of formal church ceremonial.
nounA maniple is an ancient Roman infantry unit, traditionally consisting of 120 soldiers commanded by a centurion. In ecclesiastical usage, it is a narrow band or strip of fabric worn over a bishop's left forearm.
- An infantry unit in the ancient Roman army, normally comprising 120 soldiers divided into smaller sections.
- A narrow liturgical band of fabric worn over the left forearm by a bishop, especially in the Western Church.
"The centurion led his maniple across the open field while the legion waited behind the standards."
"Each maniple advanced in formation behind its centurion and the legion's golden standard."
"During the procession, the bishop adjusted the maniple draped over his left forearm."
The plural is formed by changing the final syllable to -ies; “manipules” is occasionally encountered but is not the standard modern form.
"The Roman manipulies advanced in disciplined columns."
A Roman maniple contained 120 soldiers: exactly the number once thought to represent the prisoners from whom its members were originally selected.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does maniple come from?
The word comes from Latin manipulus, meaning “a handful,” a term originally applied to a bundle of hay and later to a troop of soldiers. English borrowed the military sense during the early modern period. The ecclesiastical sense developed from the same Latin word through the vestment's traditional symbolism of a handful or flock under a bishop's care.
Related word forms
How maniple is actually used
The military sense is chiefly historical. The ecclesiastical sense belongs primarily to formal Christian liturgical vocabulary and is especially associated with the Western Church; its use is uncommon in everyday speech.
Easily confused with maniple
A maniple is a military unit or ecclesiastical band, whereas to manipulate something is to handle, control, or influence it skilfully or unfairly.