WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Man"i*ple
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [L. manipulus, maniplus, a handful, a certain number of soldiers; manus hand + root of plere to fill, plenus full: cf. F.maniple. See Manual, and Full, a.]
Definition : 1. A handful. [R.] B. Jonson.

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

3. 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913