Man"u*al (?), a. [OE. manuel, F. manuel, L. manualis, fr. manus hand; prob. akin to AS. mund hand, protection, OHG. munt, G. mundel a ward, vormund guardian, Icel. mund hand. Cf. Emancipate, Legerdemain, Maintain, Manage, Manner, Manur, 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.
© Webster 1913.
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.).
© Webster 1913.