Man"u*al (?), n. [Cf. F. manuel, LL. manuale. See Manual, a.]
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.) 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.) 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.).
Man"u*al (măn"&usl;*al),
a. [OE. manuel, F. manuel, L. manualis,
fr. manus hand; prob.
akin to AS.
mund hand, protection, OHG. munt, G. mündel a ward, vormund guardian, Icel. mund hand. Cf. Emancipate, Legerdemain, Maintain, Manage,
Manner, Manure, Mound a hill.]
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.
Hear it pronounced