Meaning
small band, handful
- a small, tight-knit group or handful of people
- a historical tactical unit of the Roman legion
In a sentence
Un manipolo di soldati difese la collina fino all'arrivo dei rinforzi.
A small band of soldiers defended the hill until reinforcements arrived.
Solo un manipolo di appassionati ha sfidato la pioggia per partecipare.
Only a handful of enthusiasts braved the rain to attend.
Quel manipolo di ribelli non poteva sperare di rovesciare il governo.
That small band of rebels could not hope to overthrow the government.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| manipolo | masculine · singular |
| manipoli | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Literary: used mainly in elevated registers or historical descriptions.
- Almost always followed by 'di' plus a plural noun ('un manipolo di coraggiosi').