manual Hear it!

manual definition

manu·al (man′yo̵̅o̅ əl)

adjective

    1. of or having to do with a hand or the hands
    2. made, done, worked, or used by the hands
    3. involving or doing hard physical work that requires use of the hands
  2. without electrical or other power a manual typewriter

Etymology: ME manuel < OFr < L manualis < manus, a hand < IE *mə-n-és (akin to *mṇtos > Gmc *mund- > ON & OE mund, a hand) < base < *mər-, *mən-, hand

noun

  1. a handy book of facts, instructions, etc. for use as a guide or reference; handbook
  2. any of the separate keyboards of an organ console or harpsichord
  3. prescribed drill in the handling of a weapon, esp. a rifle
    also manual of arms

Etymology: ME manuele < ML manuale, manual, service book < LL, case or covering for a book < L manualis: see the adj.

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

manual Synonyms

manual

modif.

by hand, hand-operated, not automatic, standard; see old-fashioned.


manual

n.

guidebook, reference book, textbook, exercise book, manual of arms; see also handbook, text 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

manual Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • instructional: Reading instructional manuals and visits to the local climbing wall also played a major part in learning.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • consult: For help on enabling graphics printing please consult the printer manual.

Modifies a noun

  • handling: The greatest risk from paper is in its manual handling.

Used with adjective complement

  • print: There will not be a printed manual for the initial releases of PIMS.

Noun used with modifier

  • instruction: After four years he finds himself writing instruction manuals for a computer company.

Preposition: with

  • overdrive: Transmission: 4-speed manual, 4-speed manual with electrical overdrive or 3-speed automatic.
manual usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"manual." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 3 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/manual>

APA Style

manual. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 3rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/manual

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