maniple

maniple · noun¹

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*pleh₁-“to fill”
2. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*(s)meh₂-“to beckon, signal”
3. Latin · derived frommanipulus“bundle, handful; troop of soldiers”
4. Old French · derived frommaniple
5. Middle English · inherited frommaniple
6. English todaymaniple

From Late Middle English maniple, manyple (“scarf worn as vestment, maniple”), borrowed from Middle French, Old French maniple, manipule (“handful; troop of soldiers; scarf worn as vestment”) (modern French manipule), from Latin manipulus (“bundle, handful; troop of soldiers”), from manus (“hand”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(s)meh₂- (“to beckon, signal”)) + the weakened root of pleō (“to fill; to fulfil”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₁- (“to fill”)). The English word is cognate with Italian manipulo (“scarf worn as vestment”) (obsolete), manipolo (“handful; troop of soldiers; scarf worn as vestment”). Sense 2 (“part of a priest’s vestments”) is probably from the fact that the item was originally carried in the hand. It may originate from a handkerchief or napkin worn by Roman consuls as an indication of rank.

maniple · noun²

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromδράγμα“bundle, handful; sheaf”
2. Late Latin · derived frommanipulus“bundle, handful; drachm”
3. English todaymaniple

Probably from Late Latin manipulus (“bundle, handful; drachm”) (see further at etymology 1), modelled on Ancient Greek δράγμα (drágma, “bundle, handful; sheaf”) which was confused with δραχμή (drakhmḗ, “drachm”).

Words from the same roots