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

Other Word Forms

• manually adverb
• nonmanual adjective
• unmanual 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

"When the engine's manual -- the mtDNA -- gets damaged, it's not always by a spelling mistake, a mutation," Chen said.

Read more on Science Daily

Union official Ahmed Saih, who represents prison officers at the jail, told AFP on Thursday that the inmates used "old-fashioned, manual saw blades".

Read more on Barron's

Traditional fibreglass boat building requires a mould and considerable manual work to make sure the vessel is of the required strength.

Read more on BBC

The Times added: "Volume one doesn't rewrite the manual but why would you want it to?"

Read more on BBC

Check your vehicle’s manual and follow the instructions to turn off the “remote keyless feature.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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