How Do You Spell ANCILE?

Pronunciation: [ˈansa͡ɪl] (IPA)

Ancile is a word that refers to a small shield or buckler, used by ancient Roman soldiers. The spelling of Ancile can be explained by using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. The word is pronounced as 'ænsəl' in IPA, with the vowel sound 'a' pronounced as in 'cat'. The 'c' is pronounced as 's', the 'e' is pronounced as a silent letter and the 'i' is pronounced as in 'sit'. The final 'e' is also pronounced as a silent letter.

ANCILE Meaning and Definition

  1. Ancile is a noun that refers to a shield or a round, oblong-shaped sacred object, typically made of bronze or metal, with mystical properties attributed to it in ancient Roman mythology. According to legend, the Ancile was said to have fallen from the sky during the reign of Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome, and it was believed to be a divine gift from the gods. The shape of the Ancile was often described as resembling that of a scutum, a Roman shield, but with a slightly curved, elliptical contour.

    The Ancile held immense significance for the Romans, as its preservation was thought to ensure the prosperity, power, and security of the Roman Empire. It was considered a symbol of divine protection for the whole nation. To safeguard its importance and prevent counterfeiting, eleven other identical shields were produced and distributed among the citizens of Rome, thereby making it difficult to identify the original Ancile.

    The word "ancile" is derived from the Latin word "ancilis," which means "round." The significance of the Ancile was deeply ingrained in Roman religious and political practices, often associated with the worship of Mars, the god of war. The preservation and veneration of the Ancile played a crucial role in the Roman religious calendar, particularly during the celebration of the festival known as the "Feria Ancillaris." During this event, offerings and rituals were dedicated to the sacred shield to ensure the ongoing protection and well-being of the Roman state.

  2. In anc. Rome, the sacred shield of Mars, said to have fallen from heaven.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for ANCILE

  • zncile
  • sncile
  • wncile
  • qncile
  • abcile
  • amcile
  • ajcile
  • ahcile
  • anxile
  • andile
  • ancule
  • ancjle
  • ancole
  • anc9le
  • anc8le
  • ancike
  • ancipe
  • ancioe
  • ancilw
  • Angile

Etymology of ANCILE

The word "Ancile" has an etymology rooted in Latin. It can be traced back to the Latin word "ancilla", which means "handmaid" or "female servant". The term "Ancile" specifically refers to a sacred shield associated with ancient Roman mythology and the god Mars. According to legend, the Ancile was said to have fallen from the sky during the reign of King Numa Pompilius, and it was believed that as long as the original Ancile was preserved, Rome would be invulnerable. The word "Ancile" is derived from "ancilla" due to the belief that the shield was a divine instrument safeguarding Rome.

Similar spelling words for ANCILE

Plural form of ANCILE is ANCILES

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