ancilla
[ an-sil-uh ]
/ ænˈsɪl ə /
noun, plural an·cil·las.
an accessory; auxiliary or adjunct.
Archaic.
a maidservant.
Origin of ancilla
1870–75; < Latin: female slave, maid, probably
anc- +
-illa diminutive suffix, by reanalysis of
ancula maid <
*anquola, equivalent to
an- (see
ancile) +
*-quola, noun derivative of a v. base
*quel- turn about, hence “one who circles around”; cognate with Greek
amphípolos attendant
Words nearby ancilla
ancient regime,
ancient wisdom,
anciently,
ancientry,
ancile,
ancilla,
ancillary,
ancipital,
ancohuma,
ancon,
ancona