n. 1. An ornamental silk band hung as an ecclesiastical vestment on the left arm near the wrist. 2. A subdivision of an ancient Roman legion, containing 60 or 120 men. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin manipulus, handful : manus, hand; see man-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + -pulus, perhaps -ful; see pelə-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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