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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

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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

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 Sara Yorke Stevenson

His mother and the Baronne are very anxious about him, as if he really decides to "jeter le manche après la cognée," who is to pay his debts!

From The Visits of Elizabeth by Elinor Glyn

The pocketing sleeve of the time of Henry III still exists in the heraldic charge known as the manche, borne by the Hastings and Norton family.

From Two Centuries of Costume in America, Volume 1 (1620-1820) by Alice Morse Earle

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 James Conway Walter

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

Our friends at Get French Football News have sent over a few headlines from the other side of la Manche:

From The Guardian ● Oct. 5, 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

However, the demagogic wind which had suddenly blown over a part of France had not prevailed in the Department of la Manche.

From The Recollections of Alexis de Tocqueville by Alexis de Tocqueville

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