n. (pl. vexilla) 1 Rom. Antiq. a a military standard, esp. of a maniple. b a body of troops under this. 2 Bot. the large upper petal of a papilionaceous flower. 3 Zool. the vane of a feather. 4 Eccl. a a flag attached to a bishop's staff. b a processional banner or cross.
[ L f. vehere vect- carry ]