palla

Palla is a term with several meanings across languages and historical periods. In classical Latin, palla referred to a rectangular outer garment worn by women, draped over the stola. It functioned as a mantle or shawl and could be worn over the head or wrapped around the body, similar to other Roman garments such as the pallium worn by men. The palla is frequently depicted in Roman reliefs and inscriptions as part of female dress.

In modern Italian, palla means ball or sphere and is used in everyday language to denote any ball, including in sports and games.

Beyond language and clothing, palla exists as a proper noun. It is used as a surname and appears in geographic names in various countries, though these uses are not tied to a single cultural meaning.

The term is distinct from Pallas, a Greek name associated with the goddess Athena and with astronomical objects such as the asteroid Pallas.