Aquilifer
/ˌæk.wɪˈlɪf.ər/noun
A standard-bearer in the ancient Roman army who carried the legion's eagle.
Did you know?The aquila was one of Rome’s most sacred military symbols, and an aquilifer’s job was so honored that recovering a lost eagle standard could become a matter of national obsession.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂ekʷ-
“to be sharp, pointed; later associated with the eagle in some descendant forms”
Latin
Latin
aquila
“eagle”
Latin
Latin
-fer
“bearing, carrying”
Classical Latin
Latin
aquilifer
“eagle-bearer; the soldier who carried the legion's eagle standard”
Middle English / Modern English
English
aquilifer
“a Roman eagle-bearer; a historical term”
Modern English
English
aquilifer
“a Roman standard-bearer who carried the eagle”