WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Man"u*al
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [OE. manuel, F. manuel, L. manualis, fr. manus hand; prob. akin to AS. mund hand, protection, OHG. munt, G. m?ndel a ward, vormund guardian, Icel. mund hand. Cf. Emancipate, Legerdemain, Maintain, Manage, Manner, Manur, Mound a hill.]
Definition : Defn: Of or pertaining to the hand; done or made by the hand; as, manual labor; the king's sign manual. "Manual and ocular examination." Tatham. Manual alphabet. See Dactylology. -- Manual exercise (Mil.) the exercise by which soldiers are taught the use of their muskets and other arms. -- Seal manual, the impression of a seal worn on the hand as a ring. -- Sign manual. See under Sign.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Man"u*al
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [Cf. F. manuel, LL. manuale. See Manual, a.]
Definition : 1. A small book, such as may be carried in the hand, or conveniently handled; a handbook; specifically, the service book of the Roman Catholic Church. This manual of laws, styled the Confessor's Laws. Sir M. Hale.

2. (Mus.)

Defn: A keyboard of an organ or harmonium for the fingers, as distinguished from the pedals; a clavier, or set of keys. Moore (Encyc. of Music).

3. (Mil.)

Defn: A prescribed exercise in the systematic handing of a weapon; as, the manual of arms; the manual of the sword; the manual of the piece (cannon, mortar, etc.).
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913