äŋˈkēˌlā, anˈsīlē noun
( plural ancil·ia äŋˈkilēə, anˈsi-)
Etymology: Latin, probably from ancidere to cut around, from an- (variant of ambi- around) + -cidere (from caedere to cut) — more at ambi- , concise
: any of 12 sacred shields of the ancient Romans that were thought to guarantee the preservation of the city