aquamanile

noun

aq·​ua·​ma·​ni·​le

ˈakwəməˈnī(ˌ)lē,

ˌäkwəməˈnēlē

plural aquamaniles

-ī(ˌ)lēz,

-ēˌlās

or aquamanilia

-ˈnilēə

: a water vessel or ewer

specifically : a vessel used by a priest in the Middle Ages for washing his hands during the celebration of Mass

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, alteration of Latin aquae manale, from aquae (genitive of aqua water) + manale ewer, from neuter of manalis flowing, from manare to flow + -alis -al

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