panoply
noun
pan·o·ply ˈpa-nə-plē 
plural panoplies
1
a
: a full suit of armor
Knights in panoply were ready for battle.
b
: ceremonial attire
The nobles were in panoply for the coronation.
2
: something forming a protective covering
faces dim in a panoply of smoke
William Baucke
William Baucke3
a
: a magnificent or impressive array
the full panoply of a military funeral
woods … in their full panoply of autumn foliage S. P. B. Mais
S. P. B. Mais b
: a display of all appropriate appurtenances
no need for the panoply of power
windows … beyond which the usual panoply of modern mechanical conveniences can brazenly flourish Lewis Mumford
Lewis Mumford
Did you know?
Panoply comes from the Greek word panoplia, which referred to the full suit of armor worn by hoplites, heavily armed infantry soldiers of ancient Greece. Panoplia is a blend of the prefix pan-, meaning "all," and hopla, meaning "arms" or "armor." (As you may have guessed already, hopla is also an ancestor of hoplite.) Panoply entered the English language in the 17th century, and since then it has developed other senses which extend both the "armor" and the "full set" aspects of its original use.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Even after his presidency, Donald Trump faces a panoply of investigations that is unprecedented. David Jackson, USA TODAY, 11 Aug. 2022 There is a panoply of scholarships, grants and public and private loans available to supplement whatever students and parents can afford to pay. Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 The coffee and hoagies are still big sellers, but a panoply of options give more people a reason to come into the store. Susan Naftulin, Forbes, 19 May 2022 The bill’s $370 billion in climate spending provides a panoply of tax credits for wind, solar, carbon capture, hydrogen, biofuels, critical minerals, sustainable aviation fuel, green-energy manufacturing and battery storage, among other things. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 Words barely comprehended, a panoply of percussive sounds and the reverberant electronic ambience all contributed to producing an uncanny sensation of being in the remove of nature. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2022 Amid the ever-changing COVID landscape, businesses have adopted a panoply of approaches to help keep workers healthy and the doors open. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 12 June 2022 The panoply of now sacrosanct Jewish dishes have been ignored at a time when novelty triumphs over consistent, decades long excellence. John Mariani, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2021 One group, though, is noticeably absent in this panoply of worshippers: Emiratis. The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 June 2022 See More
David Jackson, USA TODAY, 11 Aug. 2022 There is a panoply of scholarships, grants and public and private loans available to supplement whatever students and parents can afford to pay. Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 The coffee and hoagies are still big sellers, but a panoply of options give more people a reason to come into the store. Susan Naftulin, Forbes, 19 May 2022 The bill’s $370 billion in climate spending provides a panoply of tax credits for wind, solar, carbon capture, hydrogen, biofuels, critical minerals, sustainable aviation fuel, green-energy manufacturing and battery storage, among other things. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 Words barely comprehended, a panoply of percussive sounds and the reverberant electronic ambience all contributed to producing an uncanny sensation of being in the remove of nature. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2022 Amid the ever-changing COVID landscape, businesses have adopted a panoply of approaches to help keep workers healthy and the doors open. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 12 June 2022 The panoply of now sacrosanct Jewish dishes have been ignored at a time when novelty triumphs over consistent, decades long excellence. John Mariani, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2021 One group, though, is noticeably absent in this panoply of worshippers: Emiratis. The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Greek panoplia, from pan- + hopla arms, armor, plural of hoplon tool, weapon — more at hoplite
First Known Use
circa 1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
panoplies
noun
as in shields
a full suit of armor Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- shields
- carapaces
- plates
- sheaths
- hulls
- platings
- jackets
- houses
- coverings
- shells
- armors
- mails
- husks
- exoskeletons
- housings
- cocoons
- pods
- crusts
- encasements
- cassettes
- casings
- cartridges
- capsules
- covers
- cases
- barks
- hides
- skins
- casettes
- covertures
- coatings
- envelopes
- packages
- wrappers
- facings
- cuticles
- backings