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• manche
  manche

  noun

  a conventional representation of a sleeve with a flaring end, used as a charge.
• Manche
  Manche

  noun

  a department in NW France. 2,476 sq. mi. (6,413 sq. km). Saint-Lô.

manche

¹ American  

[mahnch] / mɑntʃ /

Or maunche,

noun

Heraldry.

1. a conventional representation of a sleeve with a flaring end, used as a charge.

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Manche ² American  

[mahnsh] / mɑ̃ʃ /

noun

1. a department in NW France. 2,476 sq. mi. (6,413 sq. km). Saint-Lô.

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Manche British  

/ mɑ̃ʃ /

noun

1. a department of NW France, in Basse-Normandie region. Capital: St-Lô. Pop: 484 967 (2003 est). Area: 6412 sq km (2501 sq miles)

2. the French name for the English Channel

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Etymology

Origin of manche

1200–50; Middle English < Middle French < Latin manicae (plural) long sleeves, gloves, handcuffs, derivative of manus hand

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

manche Manche

Now that the microphone was working, the umpire announced that it was over: Jeu, manche et match, Rogers.

From New York Times ● Aug. 21, 2014

In France it goes by the names manche and broussette.

From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by Fernie, William Thomas

Thus to affirm by le sacré froc d’Habacuc, or by la double-triple manche de serpe, are fair specimens of the ingenuity that has been lavished.

From A Cursory History of Swearing by Sharman, Julian

Welles Empaled a coate defaced Welles   Empaled Verry a fesse G. B. a manche, d’or.

From Records of Woodhall Spa and Neighbourhood Historical, Anecdotal, Physiographical, and Archaeological, with Other Matter by Walter, James Conway

Another of his mots has often been quoted** and is most characteristic of the man: "S'il y a un coup de balai, je tacherai d'etre du cote du manche."

From Maximilian in Mexico A Woman's Reminiscences of the French Intervention 1862-1867 by Stevenson, Sara Yorke

France was also bracing for Goretti, which will bring gusts of up to 160 kilometres per hour in the northern Manche department.

From Barron's ● Jan. 8, 2026

The Manche prefecture did not respond to calls for comments.

From Reuters ● May 25, 2023

But I happened to be there with a French fisherman, while making a Radio 4 documentary, and was told a gale was starting out in the middle of La Manche, invisible to us.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 15, 2020

Freek Manche, a spokesman for the education ministry, says the government has already provided universities with the means to compensate students whose studies have been delayed by their Olympic training regimes.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2012

The ancient duchy is severed into the five departments of the Seine Inférieure, the Eure, the Orne, Calvados, and the Manche.

From Account of a Tour in Normandy, Volume 1 by Turner, Dawson