# Parma

/ˈpɑɹmə/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/parma
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a small, round shield used by soldiers in ancient Rome. It was usually made of wood and covered in leather.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Refers specifically to classical Roman military equipment.

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