Word
parma
Phoneticspar·ma
/ˈpɑɹmə/
Definition
n. a small, round shield used by soldiers in ancient Rome. It was usually made of wood and covered in leather.
n. a small, circular shield carried by light infantry and cavalry in the Roman army. Typically constructed from a wooden frame covered in hide and reinforced with a metal boss.
Examples
“The Roman soldier carried a parma for protection.”
“Unlike the heavy rectangular shield of the legionary, the parma allowed the light infantryman to move more quickly on the battlefield.”
“Archaeological evidence suggests that the parma was not only a defensive tool but also a symbol of status for certain classes of auxiliary troops during the early Empire.”
Examples
simple
“The Roman soldier carried a parma for protection.”
contextual
“Unlike the heavy rectangular shield of the legionary, the parma allowed the light infantryman to move more quickly on the battlefield.”
complex
“Archaeological evidence suggests that the parma was not only a defensive tool but also a symbol of status for certain classes of auxiliary troops during the early Empire.”
Usage
Refers specifically to classical Roman military equipment.
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian Parma, from Latin Parma, from Etruscan.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.