manure

manure (məˈnjʊə)

—n
1.	animal excreta, usually with straw, used to fertilize land
2.	chiefly (Brit) any material, esp chemical fertilizer, used to fertilize land

—vb
3.	(tr) to spread manure upon (fields or soil)

[C14: from Medieval Latin manuopera; manual work; see manoeuvre]

ma'nurer

—n

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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

manure

c.1400, "to cultivate land," also "to hold property," from Anglo-Fr. meynoverer, from O.Fr. manouvrer "to work with the hands," from M.L. manuoperare, from L. manu operari, from manu, abl. of manus "hand" (see manual) + operari "to work, operate" (see

operation). Sense of "work the earth" led to "put dung on the soil" (1599) and to the current noun meaning "dung spread as fertilizer," which is first attested 1549. Until late 18c., however, the verb still was used in a fig. sense of "to cultivate the mind, train the mental powers."

"It is ... his own painfull study ... that manures and improves his ministeriall gifts." [Milton, 1641]

Example sentences

They say the process is inefficient, polluting and wasteful, as the manure is

better suited for fertilizer.

The piece also gets into the use of manure as a natural fertilizer.

Fertilize every few weeks with manure tea or liquid fertilizer, until buds

appear.

Manure from animals including cows, horses, chickens and even bats is a

traditional and effective fertilizer.

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Matching Quote

"Wheat, sugarcane, chickpeas—all crops—must have manure to grow. Never forget it."

-unknown author