pallium

noun

pal·​li·​um ˈpa-lē-əm 

plural pallia ˈpa-lē-ə  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]

a

: cerebral cortex

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

The pallium, a woolen collar embroidered with six crosses, is an ancient symbol of authority and obligation. — Tony Aiello, CBS News, 29 June 2026

The pallium, draped across his shoulders, symbolizes the pastor carrying his flock as the pope carries the faithful. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025

The pallium and Fisherman’s Ring, brought up from the crypt, are carried with them. — Nbc News, NBC news, 18 May 2025

However, neither group seemed to want to resolve the discrepancy between their two theories of how vertebrate palliums evolved, according to García-Moreno. — Yasemin Saplakoglu, Wired News, 11 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for pallium

• allium
• gallium
• thallium

Medical Definition

pallium

noun

pal·​li·​um ˈpal-ē-əm 

plural pallia -ē-ə  or palliums

: cerebral cortex