manual

[ man-yoo-uhl, -yuhl ]

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 relating to the hand or hands:

   manual deformities.

4. of the nature of a manual or handbook:

   manual instructions.

noun

1. a small book, especially one giving information or instructions:

   a manual of mathematical tables.

2. a nonelectric or nonelectronic typewriter; a typewriter whose keys and carriage may be powered solely by the typist's hands.
3. Military. the prescribed drill in handling a rifle:

   the manual of arms.

4. Music. a keyboard, especially one of several belonging to a pipe organ.
5. Automotive. manual transmission.

manual

/ ˈmænjʊəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a hand or hands
2. operated or done by hand

   manual controls

3. physical, as opposed to mental or mechanical

   manual labour

4. by human labour rather than automatic or computer-aided means
5. of, relating to, or resembling a manual

noun

1. a book, esp of instructions or information

   a car manual

2. music one of the keyboards played by hand on an organ
3. military the prescribed drill with small arms

Derived Forms

• ˈmanually, adverb

Other Words From

• man·u·al·ly adverb
• non·man·u·al adjective
• un·man·u·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of manual¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; from Latin manuālis (adjective), manuāle (noun) “(something) that can be held in the hand” ( manu(s) “hand” + -ālis, -āle -al ¹, -al ² ); replacing late Middle English manuel, from Middle French, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of manual¹

C15: via Old French from Latin manuālis, from manus hand

Example Sentences

At the inquest in Northampton, senior coroner Anne Pember said the provisional cause of death was "manual strangulation pending toxicology and histology".

From BBC

Nkasi says he has intentionally taken a manual and creative approach to using AI in his music, primarily using it to generate samples.

From BBC

“It’s the norm and the custom. It’s embedded in the U.S. attorneys manual,” said Washington lawyer Stuart Gerson, a former acting U.S. attorney general.

From Los Angeles Times

That includes law relating to health facilities in war, as codified in the First and Fourth Geneva Conventions as well as in “state practice” and the military manuals of most states.

From Salon

But a recent survey by Citizens’ Advice suggests one in five households have had to regularly send manual meter readings because their smart meters haven’t worked properly.

From BBC

Related Words

• cookbook
• guide
• guidebook
• handbook
• reference book
• text
• textbook
• workbook