manual: Meaning and Definition of

man•u•al

Pronunciation: (man'y-ul), [key]
— adj.
  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 pertaining to the hand or hands: manual deformities.
  4. of the nature of a manual or handbook: manual instructions.
—n.
  1. a small book, esp. 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. the prescribed drill in handling a rifle: the manual of arms.
  4. a keyboard, esp. one of several belonging to a pipe organ.
  5. See
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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