maniple

An ornamental silk band hung as an ecclesiastical vestment on the left arm near the wrist.

A subdivision of an ancient Roman legion, containing 60 or 120 men.

In the middle ages, a garment worn under the armor.

A handful.

In Roman antiquity, a military company consisting normally of 120 men in three out of the four classes of infantry (velites, hastati, and principes), and of 60 men in the fourth (triarii), with two (first and second) centurions and a standard-bearer. Three maniples constituted a cohort.

Hence A company or any small body of soldiers.

In the Western Church, one of the eucharistic vestments, consisting of a short, narrow strip, similar in material, width, and color to the stole.

A handful.

A division of the Roman army numbering sixty men exclusive of officers; any small body of soldiers; a company.

Originally, a napkin; later, an ornamental band or scarf worn upon the left arm as a part of the vestments of a priest in the Roman Catholic Church. It is sometimes worn in the English Church service.