Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Maniple \Man"i*ple\, n. [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.]
   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.