manes

¹

[ mey-neez; Latin mah-nes ]

noun

1. (used with a plural verb) Roman Religion. the souls of the dead; shades.
2. (used with a singular verb) the spirit or shade of a particular dead person.

Manes

²

[ mey-neez ]

noun

1. a.d. 216?–276?, Persian prophet: founder of Manicheanism.

Manes

¹

/ ˈmeɪniːz /

noun

1. See Mani
   See Mani

manes

²

/ ˈmɑːnɛs; ˈmɑːneɪz /

plural noun

1. the spirits of the dead, often revered as minor deities
2. functioning as singular the shade of a dead person

Word History and Origins

Origin of manes¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin mānēs (plural); akin to Latin mānis, mānus good

Word History and Origins

Origin of manes¹

C14: from Latin, probably: the good ones, from Old Latin mānus good

Example Sentences

Thousands of platinum-blonde manes brush against bare, perma-tanned backs moist with snow.

From The Daily Beast

Shraddha, or Pinda, is an offering made to the manes of any deceased person, on an appointed day after his or her death.

From Project Gutenberg

Mine have their manes and tails anyway, and the proper use of their eyes, which is more liberty than some thoroughbreds get.

From Project Gutenberg

A funeral costs ten rupees, as several pigs must be sacrificed to the manes.

From Project Gutenberg

Men and horses bowed their heads before the deluge and the rain ran in streams from the manes and tails.

From Project Gutenberg

So he praises the family manes, and ends by asking blessings, such as cattle and wives.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• demon
• devil
• phantom
• shadow
• soul
• specter
• vampire
• vision