ancile

noun

an·​ci·​le

äŋˈkēˌlā,

anˈsīlē

plural ancilia

äŋˈkilēə,

anˈsi-

: any of 12 sacred shields of the ancient Romans that were thought to guarantee the preservation of the city

Word History

Etymology

Latin, probably from ancidere to cut around, from an- (variant of ambi- around) + -cidere (from caedere to cut)

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

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