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

Who knew — it was like a template, a manual for what I was going to have to deal with.”

From Los Angeles Times

Her death was caused by "manual compression to the neck", Inner London Crown Court previously heard.

From BBC

They create new expectations for speed and efficiency in law enforcement, making it politically costly to revert to slower, more manual processes.

From Salon

She has a work permit while her asylum claim is outstanding and works long shifts of manual labour in a US factory.

From BBC

He explained how a location automatically identified by the ambulance service's computer system was then used with 95% accuracy, but no manual alert was sent to responders.

From BBC

Related Words

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