adjective
- done, operated, worked, etc., by the hand or hands rather than by an electrical or electronic device: a manual gearshift.
- involving or using human effort, skill, power, energy, etc.; physical: manual labor.
- of or relating to the hand or hands: manual deformities.
- of the nature of a manual or handbook: manual instructions.
noun
- a small book, especially one giving information or instructions: a manual of mathematical tables.
- a nonelectric or nonelectronic typewriter; a typewriter whose keys and carriage may be powered solely by the typist’s hands.
- Military. the prescribed drill in handling a rifle: the manual of arms.
- Music. a keyboard, especially one of several belonging to a pipe organ.
- Automotive. manual transmission.
adjective
- of or relating to a hand or hands
- operated or done by handmanual controls
- physical, as opposed to mental or mechanicalmanual labour
- by human labour rather than automatic or computer-aided means
- of, relating to, or resembling a manual
noun
- a book, esp of instructions or informationa car manual
- music one of the keyboards played by hand on an organ
- military the prescribed drill with small arms
n.early 15c., “service book used by a priest,” from Old French manuel “handbook” (also “plow-handle”), from Late Latin manuale “case or cover of a book, handbook,” noun use of neuter of Latin manualis (see manual (adj.)). Meaning “a concise handbook” of any sort is from 1530s. adj.c.1400, from Latin manualis “of or belonging to the hand; that can be thrown by hand,” from manus “hand, strength, power over; armed force; handwriting,” from PIE *man- (2) “hand” (cf. Old Norse mund “hand,” Old English mund “hand, protection, guardian,” German Vormund “guardian,” Greek mane “hand”).