manual

views updated May 23 2018

man·u·al / ˈmanyə(wə)l/ • adj. of or done with the hands: manual dexterity manual hauling of boats along the towpath. ∎  (of a machine or device) worked by hand, not automatically or electronically: a manual typewriter. ∎  using or working with the hands: a manual laborer.• n. 1. a book of instructions, esp. for operating a machine or learning a subject; a handbook: a computer manual a training manual. ∎  a small book: a pocket-sized manual of the artist's aphorisms. ∎  hist. a book of the forms to be used by priests in the administration of the sacraments.2. a thing operated or done by hand rather than automatically or electronically, in particular: ∎  an organ keyboard played with the hands. ∎  a vehicle with a manual transmission.DERIVATIVES: man·u·al·ly adv.

manual

views updated May 17 2018

manual pert. to the hands. XV. Earliest form manuel (later assim. to L.) — (O)F. manuel — L. manuālis, f. manus hand, rel. to OE., ON. mund, OHG. munt; see -AL1. As sb. small book for handy use (XV) based ult. on late L. manuāle, sb. use of n. of adj.; as a term for the keyboard of an organ (XIX) distinguished from pedal.

manual

views updated May 23 2018

manual. Any of the org. kbds. provided for the hands (as opposed to pedal-kbd.). Hpds. have 1st and 2nd manuals (kbds.).

More From encyclopedia.com