-lē, -li noun
( -es )
Etymology: Greek panoplia, from pan- + hopla armor, arms (plural of hoplon tool, implement) + -ia -y — more at hoplite
1.
a. : a full suit of armor (as of a hoplite or knight)
b. : ceremonial attire
in the panoply of ostrich-feather head-dress, cape, gleaming spear, shield, sword, club, painted face and leg ornaments — G.W.B.Huntingford
: dress uniform
2. : something resembling armor in being a protective covering
faces dim in a panoply of smoke — William Baucke
tradition has become not a sword … but a panoply behind which to hide from the world — Max Lerner
3.
a. : a magnificent or impressive array
woods … in their full panoply of autumn foliage — S.P.B.Mais
serving in the endless panoply of jobs for which it is uniquely qualified — Aero Digest
: splendid display : pomp
the military panoply of an empire on parade — Newsweek
performed in a grand manner full of panoply and ringing sound — Herbert Weinstock
b. : a display of all appropriate appurtenances
a colossal land speculation that assumed the full panoply of sovereignty — S.E.Morison & H.S.Commager
windows … behind which the usual panoply of modern mechanical conveniences can brazenly flourish — Lewis Mumford
4. : a group of pieces of armor forming a collection of trophies, an emblem, or an ornament
sports shirts of a fine lightweight wool printed with … panoplies of arms and medieval figures — New Yorker