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n. pl. aq·ua·ma·ni·les (-nīlēz, -nēlās) or aq·ua·ma·ni·li·a (-nĭlē-ə) A vessel, often in the shape of an animal, used to pour water over the hands, especially in ritual cleansing. [Medieval Latin aquaemanīle, aquamanīle, alteration (perhaps influenced by Latin manus, hand) of Latin aquimināle, wash-basin, variant of earlier aquae mānāle, aquae manāle (form uncertain) : aquae, genitive of aqua, water; see akw-ā in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + probably mānāle, ewer (from neuter of mānālis, flowing : mānāre, to trickle, flow + -ālis, adjectival suffix).]  (click for a larger image) aquamanile15th-century German bronze aquamanile |
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