ancile
noun
an·ci·le
äŋˈkēˌlā,
anˈsīlē
plural ancilia
äŋˈkilēə,
anˈsi-
: any of 12 sacred shields of the ancient Romans that were thought to guarantee the preservation of the city
Word History
Etymology
Latin, probably from ancidere to cut around, from an- (variant of ambi- around) + -cidere (from caedere to cut)
First Known Use
1579, in the meaning defined above