Manipulus, R. (lit. a handful). (1) A maniple, the earliest ensign of the Roman legion; it consisted of a handful of hay attached to the end of a pole. (2) A body of infantry in a legion, consisting of about 180 to 200 men.
Mansard Roof, Arch, (so called from Mansard, the French architect, who introduced it), or Curb Roof (from the French courber, to bend). A roof with two sets of rafters, of which the upper part is, as it were, broken off, and not so steep as the lower. According to Mesanges, Mansard took the idea of his roof from a frame composed by Segallo, and Michael Angelo employed it in the construction of the dome of St. Peter’s. The houses in Lower Brittany were covered with these roofs in the end of the 15th century.
Manse, O. E. The parsonage-house.
Mansio, R. (maneo, to remain). Stations placed at intervals along the high roads, to serve as halting-places for the troops on a march. (See Mutatio.)
Mantapa, Hind. A porch to a temple.
Mantel-piece, Arch. (formerly mantil). A cloak or covering; hence the slab which covers a part of the fireplace; the canopy over a shrine (Latin mandualis).
Mantelet or Mantlet. A shed used for protecting soldiers from missile weapons. (See Pluteus.)
Mantica, R. (manus, the hand). A double wallet serving as a portmanteau for riders or pedestrians.
Mantle. A flowing robe worn over the armour, as shown in the costume of the knights in the ivory mirror-case. (Fig. [463].)
Mantling or Lambrequin. A small mantle, of some rich materials, attached to the helmet, and worn hanging down, and ending in tassels. (See Fig. [177].) It is usually represented, in Heraldry, with jagged ends, to represent the cuts it would be exposed to in actual battle.