1. using hands: relating to, done with, or involving the hands manual dexterity
2. physical: involving physical rather than mental exertion manual tasks
3. operated by human being: operated by a person rather than a machine or computer, or by human effort rather than electricity or another type of power switching to manual control
noun (pluralman·u·als)
Definition:
1. handbook: a book that contains information and instructions about the operation of a machine or how to do something
2. music keyboard played with hands: an organ or harpsichord keyboard that is played with the hands alone
3. arms rifle drill: a drill or exercise in the use of a handheld weapon cadets practicing the manual of arms
[15th century. Directly or via French manuel< Latin manualis "of the hand" < manus "hand"]
man·u·al·ly adverb
Word History
The Latin word manus "hand," from which manual derives, is also the source of English amanuensis, command, demand, manacle, manage, mandate, maneuver, manifest, manipulate, manner, manufacture, manure, mastiff, maundy, and remand.
