in a manner of speaking
ər noun
Idioms 1.
a way of doing, being done, or happening; mode of action, occurrence, etc.: I don't like the manner in which he complained.
2.
manners.
a.
the prevailing customs, ways of living, and habits of a people, class, period, etc.; mores: The novels of Jane Austen are concerned with the manners of her time.
b.
ways of behaving with reference to polite standards; social comportment: That child has good manners.
3.
a person's outward bearing; way of speaking to and treating others: She has a charming manner.
4.
characteristic or customary way of doing, making, saying, etc.: houses built in the 19th-century manner.
5.
air of distinction: That old gentleman had quite a manner.
6.
( used with a singular or plural verb ) kind; sort: What manner of man is he? All manner of things were happening.
7.
characteristic style in art, literature, or the like: verses in the manner of Spenser.
8.
Obsolete.
a.
nature; character.
b.
guise; fashion.
9.
by all manner of means, by all means; certainly.
10.
by no manner of means, under no circumstances; by no means; certainly not: She was by no manner of means a frivolous person.
11.
in a manner, so to speak; after a fashion; somewhat.
12.
in a manner of speaking, in a way; as it were; so to speak: We were, in a manner of speaking, babes in the woods.
13.
to the manner born,
a.
accustomed by birth to a high position: He was a gentleman to the manner born.
b.
used to a particular custom, activity, or role from birth.
00:10
In a manner of speaking
is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
Origin:
1125–75; Middle English manere < Anglo-French; Old French maniere ≪ Vulgar Latin *manuāria, noun use of feminine of manuārius handy, convenient (Latin: of, pertaining to the hand). See manus, -er2
1125–75; Middle English manere < Anglo-French; Old French maniere ≪ Vulgar Latin *manuāria, noun use of feminine of manuārius handy, convenient (Latin: of, pertaining to the hand). See manus, -er2
Synonyms
1. method. 3. demeanor, deportment. Manner, air, bearing all refer to one's outward aspect or behavior. Manner applies to a distinctive mode of behavior, or social attitude toward others, etc.: a gracious manner. Air applies to outward appearance insofar as this is distinctive or indicative: an air of martyrdom. Airs imply affectation: to put on airs. Bearing applies especially to carriage: a noble bearing. 4. mode, fashion, style; habit, custom.
1. method. 3. demeanor, deportment. Manner, air, bearing all refer to one's outward aspect or behavior. Manner applies to a distinctive mode of behavior, or social attitude toward others, etc.: a gracious manner. Air applies to outward appearance insofar as this is distinctive or indicative: an air of martyrdom. Airs imply affectation: to put on airs. Bearing applies especially to carriage: a noble bearing. 4. mode, fashion, style; habit, custom.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
manner (ˈmænə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a way of doing or being |
| 2. | a person's bearing and behaviour: she had a cool manner |
| 3. | the style or customary way of doing or accomplishing something: sculpture in the Greek manner |
| 4. | type or kind: what manner of man is this? |
| 5. | mannered style, as in art; mannerism |
| 6. | by all manner of means certainly; of course |
| 7. | by no manner of means definitely not: he was by no manner of means a cruel man |
| 8. | in a manner of speaking in a way; so to speak |
| 9. | to the manner born naturally fitted to a specified role or activity |
| [C12: via Norman French from Old French maniere, from Vulgar Latin manuāria (unattested) a way of handling something, noun use of Latin manuārius belonging to the hand, from manus hand] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
manner
late 12c., from Anglo-Fr. manere, from O.Fr. maniere (Fr. manière), from V.L. *manaria, from fem. of L. manuarius "belonging to the hand," from manus "hand" (see manual). Most figurative meanings derive from the original sense of "method of handling;" which was extended
when the word was used to translate L. modus "method." To the manner born ("Hamlet" I iv.15) is generally used incorrectly, and means "destined by birth to be subject to the custom."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
in a manner of speaking
In a way; so to speak. For example, He was, in a manner of speaking, asked to leave the group. [Late 1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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