panoply

[ pan-uh-plee ]

noun

, plural pan·o·plies.

1. a wide-ranging and impressive array or display:

   the dazzling panoply of the maharaja's procession; the panoply of European history.

2. a complete suit of armor.
3. a protective covering.
4. full ceremonial attire or paraphernalia; special dress and equipment.

panoply

/ ˈpænəplɪ /

noun

1. a complete or magnificent array
2. the entire equipment of a warrior

Derived Forms

• ˈpanoplied, adjective

Other Words From

• pano·plied adjective
• un·pano·plied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of panoply¹

1570–80; < Greek panoplía full complement of arms and armor, equivalent to pan- pan- + ( h ) ópl ( a ) arms, armor ( hoplite ) + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of panoply¹

C17: via French from Greek panoplia complete armour, from pan- + hopla armour, pl of hoplon tool

Example Sentences

“Roger Ailes’ fake news empire: Former Fox News head presided over a panoply of phony ‘sock puppet’ blogs,” Salon, April 18, 2017.

From Slate

Still, in that performance, one can appreciate the luxury of the tight shot on Jones’ face, a panoply of expressive glowing and fading between pride, joy, anger and sorrow that only theatergoers in the good seats might have been able to fully experience.

From Salon

They had been recruited for a study to determine if the Dendra panoply, a suit of armor from 3,500 years ago considered to be one of the oldest known from the Bronze Age in Europe, could be worn in battle.

From New York Times

In his seven years as CEO of Qualcomm, the company he joined out of college, Mollenkopf faced a panoply of challenges that threatened to force the chipmaker out of existence.

From Seattle Times

The microbial ecosystems that distinguish literal wine from mere grape juice — the panoply of yeasts, bacteria and fungi — fluctuated significantly between the vintages produced in 2018 and 2021 by the North Canterbury winemaker because of human-caused climate change.

From Salon

Related Words

• array