/man"euh peuhl/ , n.
1. (in ancient Rome) a subdivision of a legion, consisting of 60 or 120 men.
2. Eccles. one of the Eucharistic vestments, consisting of an ornamental band or strip worn on the left arm near the wrist. See illus. under chasuble .
[ 1400-50; late ME manipulus sudarium, L: military unit, lit., handful, equiv. to mani- (comb. form of manus hand) + -pulus suffix of obscure orig.; perh. akin to plenus FULL ]