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manual

 - 6 dictionary results

man⋅u⋅al

  [man-yoo-uhl]
Use manual in a Sentence
–adjective
1. done, operated, worked, etc., by the hand or hands rather than by an electrical or electronic device: a manual gearshift.
2. involving or using human effort, skill, power, energy, etc.; physical: manual labor.
3. of or pertaining to the hand or hands: manual deformities.
4. of the nature of a manual or handbook: manual instructions.
–noun
5. a small book, esp. one giving information or instructions: a manual of mathematical tables.
6. a nonelectric or nonelectronic typewriter; a typewriter whose keys and carriage may be powered solely by the typist's hands.
7. Military. the prescribed drill in handling a rifle: the manual of arms.
8. Music. a keyboard, esp. one of several belonging to a pipe organ.
9. Automotive. manual transmission.
Origin:
1375–1425; < L manuālis (adj.), manuāle (n.) (something) that can be held in the hand (manu(s) hand + -ālis, -āle -al 1 , -al 2 ); r. late ME manuel < MF < L, as above

Related forms:
man⋅u⋅al⋅ly, adverb

manual transmission

 
–noun
an automotive transmission in which the driver shifts gears manually.
Also called manual.

Origin:
1965–70
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To manual
man·u·al   (mān'yōō-əl)   
adj.  

    1. Of or relating to the hands: manual skill.

    2. Done by, used by, or operated with the hands.

    3. Employing human rather than mechanical energy: manual labor.

  2. Of, relating to, or resembling a small reference book.

n.  

  1. A small reference book, especially one giving instructions.

  2. Music A keyboard, as of an organ or harpsichord, played with the hands.

  3. A machine operated by hand.

  4. Prescribed movements in the handling of a weapon, especially a rifle: the manual of arms.


[Middle English, from Old French manuel, from Latin manuālis, from manus, hand; see manus.]
man'u·al·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

manual  (adj.)
1406, from L. manualis "of or belonging to the hand," from manus "hand, strength, power over, armed force, handwriting," from PIE *men- "hand, to take in one's hand" (cf. O.E. mund "hand, protection, guardian," Ger. Vormund "guardian," Gk. mane "hand"). The noun is attested from 1431 and originally meant "service book used by a priest," from O.Fr. manuel, from L.L. manuale "case or cover of a book, handbook," neut. of L. manualis. Meaning "a concise handbook" of any sort is from 1533.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: man·u·al
Pronunciation: 'man-y&-w&l
Function: adjective
: involving or as if involving use of the hands; specifically : of, relating to, or being a gift of a corporeal movable object that is actually delivered manual donation> —man·u·al·ly adverb
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: man·u·al
Pronunciation: 'man-y&(-w&)l
Function: adjective
: using signs and the manual alphabet in teaching the deaf—compare ORAL 2
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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