English
maniple
Maniple comes from Latin manipulus ‘bundle, handful’, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)meh₂- ‘to beckon, signal’, and ultimately from *pleh₁- ‘to fill’.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*pleh₁-‘to fill’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*(s)meh₂-‘to beckon, signal’next step skipped: Latin manus
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEmanipulus‘bundle, handful’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400maniple
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form
- Englishearliest quotation 1590same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*pleh₁-‘to fill’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*(s)meh₂-‘to beckon, signal’next step skipped: Latin manus
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEmanipulus‘bundle, handful’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400maniple
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form
- Englishearliest quotation 1590same form
Earliest quotation: 1590, Edward Deering [i.e., The Three and Twentie Lecture, vpon the 4. 5. and 6. Verses: “[T]hey, as men thinking baſelie of ſuch ſimple dealing,…”
The story
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.
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *pleh₁- ‘to fill’
people, public, full, popular, complete, plus, fill, supply, poll, plenty, folk, plain, completion, accomplish, implement, comply, supplement, complement, plural, ample, amplitude, amplify, plethora, puri, depletion, plenary, replenish, replete, volk, plenum, deplete, fulsome, plebs, plebeian, 75 more
through Proto-Indo-European *(s)meh₂- ‘to beckon, signal’
main, commander, manner, manage, manual, mandate, manga, commodore, manifest, commendation, amaze, commando, commandant, commandment, manus, mano, mastiff, commandeer, manacles, 28 more
Today it means
noun A division of the Roman army numbering 120 (or sometimes 60) soldiers exclusive of officers; (generally, obsolete) any small body of soldiers.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *pleh₁- / maniple