pallium

noun

pal·​li·​um ˈpa-lē-əm How to pronounce pallium (audio)
plural pallia ˈpa-lē-ə How to pronounce pallium (audio) or palliums
1
a
: a white woolen band with pendants in front and back worn over the chasuble by a pope or archbishop as a symbol of full episcopal authority
b
: a draped rectangular cloth worn as a cloak by men of ancient Greece and Rome
2
[New Latin, from Latin, cloak]
b(1)
: the mantle of a mollusk or brachiopod
(2)
: the mantle of a bird

Examples of pallium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The pallium — a strip of lambswool — was placed on Leo’s shoulders with three pins representing his role as a shepherd and the nails of Christ’s crucifixion. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 18 May 2025 The pallium, a liturgical vestment made of wool from lambs raised by Trappist monks, symbolizes the pope’s role as the shepherd of the faithful; the pope’s pallium is worn on the shoulders, fastened with three pins resembling the nails of the cross, according to the National Catholic Reporter. Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025 Zaremba and her team also found that in the bird pallium, neurons that start development in different regions can mature into the same type of neuron in the adult. Yasemin Saplakoglu, Wired News, 11 May 2025 After performing his own version of this procession, the new Pope will likely be presented with the pallium and the ring as a symbol of his taking of the papacy. Solcyré Burga, Time, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for pallium

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pallium was in the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Pallium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pallium. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Medical Definition

pallium

noun
pal·​li·​um ˈpal-ē-əm How to pronounce pallium (audio)
plural pallia -ē-ə How to pronounce pallium (audio) or palliums

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