maniple

noun

man·​i·​ple ˈma-nə-pəl 

1

: a long narrow strip of silk formerly worn at mass over the left arm by clerics of or above the order of subdeacon

2

[Latin manipulus, from manipulus handful] : a subdivision of the Roman legion consisting of either 120 or 60 men

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin manipulus, from Latin, handful, from manus hand + -pulus (perhaps akin to Latin plēre to fill); from its having been originally held in the hand — more at manual, full

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1