MANUAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does manual mean? 

• MANUAL (noun)
  The noun MANUAL has 2 senses:

1. a small handbook

2. (military) a prescribed drill in handling a rifle

  Familiarity information: MANUAL used as a noun is rare.

• MANUAL (adjective)
  The adjective MANUAL has 3 senses:

1. of or relating to the hands

2. requiring human effort

3. doing or requiring physical work

  Familiarity information: MANUAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MANUAL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A small handbook

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("manual" is a kind of...):

enchiridion; handbook; vade mecum (a concise reference book providing specific information about a subject or location)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "manual"):

consuetudinal; consuetudinary (a manual describing the customs of a particular group (especially the ceremonial practices of a monastic order))

grimoire (a manual of black magic (for invoking spirits and demons))

book of instructions; instruction manual; instructions; operating instructions (a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it)

reference manual (a manual containing information organized in a summary manner)

sex manual (a manual containing instruction in sexual techniques; intended to enhance the reader's sexual life)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(military) a prescribed drill in handling a rifle

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

manual; manual of arms

Hypernyms ("manual" is a kind of...):

drill; exercise; practice; practice session; recitation (systematic training by multiple repetitions)

Meronyms (parts of "manual"):

order arms (a position in the manual of arms; the rifle is held vertically on the right side with the butt on the ground; often used as a command)

Domain category:

armed forces; armed services; military; military machine; war machine (the military forces of a nation)

• MANUAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to the hands

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

manual dexterity

Pertainym:

hand (the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Requiring human effort

Context example:

a manual transmission

Similar:

hand-operated; non-automatic (operated by hand)

Antonym:

automatic (operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Doing or requiring physical work

Context example:

manual laborer

Similar:

blue-collar (of or designating manual industrial work or workers)

 Context examples 

Reviewing all labeling (including instructions for use, manuals, and packaging) for language related to reported device problems.

(Device Labeling Evaluation Method, Food and Drug Administration)

I had never done any hard manual labour, or scullion labour, in my life.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

A handle, usually attached to a shaft allowing manual rotation of the shaft.

(Knob Device Component, NCI Thesaurus)

Device problems that occur as the result of problems with the labeling (including package inserts, instruction manuals, instructions for use).

(Device Labeling Deficiency Evaluation Conclusion, Food and Drug Administration)

Someone who works with their hands; someone engaged in manual labor.

(Laborer, NCI Thesaurus)

A coding manual produced by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons that provides definitions and detailed instructions for coding patient diagnosis, treatment, and outcome.

(Facility Oncology Registry Data Standards, NCI Thesaurus)

Insufficient information on the labels or in the manuals related to a device's instructions for use e.g. steps that are difficult to follow or that are missing.

(Inadequate Instructions for Device Use Evaluation Result, Food and Drug Administration)

A treatment procedure performed by manual and/or instrumental means, for example: surgery, lithotripsy, or external manipulation.

(Physical Medical Procedure, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

Refers to workers doing skilled or semi-skilled manual labor.

(Blue-Collar Group, NCI Thesaurus)

A manual tool used to bore and extract a thin cylinder of wood from tree stems.

(Increment borer, NOAA Paleoclimate Glossary)