Manipule, among the Romans, was a little body of infantry, which in the time of Rome consisted of 100 men; and in the time of the consuls, and first Caesars, of 200.

The word properly signifies "a handful;" and, according to some authors, was first given to the handful of hay which they bore at the end of a pole, to distinguish themselves by, before the custom was introduced of bearing an eagle for their ensign; and hence also the phrase, a handful of men. But Vegetius, Modestus, and Varro, gave other etymologies of the word: the last derives it from manus, a little body of men following the same standard. According to the former, this corps was called manipulus, because they fought hand in hand or all together: Contubernium autem manipulus vocabatur ab eo, quod conjunctis manibus pariter diminabant.

Each manipule had two centurions, or captains, called manipularii, to command it; one whereof was lieutenant to the other. Each cohort was divided into three manipules, and each manipule into two centuries.

Aulus Gellius quotes an old author, one Cincius, who lived in the time of Hannibal (whose prisoner he was), and who, writing on the art of war, observes, that then each legion consisted of 60 centuries, of 30 manipules, and of ten cohorts. And again, Varro and Vegetius mention it as the least division in the army, only consisting of the tenth part of a century; and Spartan adds, that it contained no more than ten men. This shows that the manipulus was not always the same thing.

Manipulus is also an ecclesiastical ornament, worn by the priests, deacons, and subdeacons in the Romish church. It consists of a little fillet in form of a stole, three or four inches broad, and made of the same stuff with the chasuble; signifying and representing an handkerchief which the priests in the primitive church wore on the arm to wipe off the tears they were continually shedding for the sins of the people. There still remains a mark of this usage in a prayer rehearsed by those who wear it; Mercari, Domino, portare manipulum fletri doloris.—The Greeks and Maronites wear two manipules, one on each arm.

Manipulus, among physicians, is used to signify a handful of herbs or leaves, or so much as a man can grasp in his hand at once; which quantity is frequently denoted by the abbreviation, M, or m.