Mān'ner, n.
n. [Fr. manière, Pr. & Pg. maneira, Sp. manera, It. maniera, from Lat. manarius, for manuaris, belonging to the hand, from manus, the hand; properly, handling, the mode in which a thing is handled.]
Sense 1. Mode of action; way of performing or effecting any thing; method; style; form; fashion.
The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land. 2 Kings xvii. 26.
Find thou the manner, and the means prepare. Dryden.
The temptations of prosperity insinuate themselves after a gentle, but very powerful, manner. Atterbury.
Sense 2. Characteristic mode of acting, conducting, carrying on one's self, or the like; peculiar way or carriage; habitual style; bearing, or conduct; specifically, (a.) The style of writing or thought in an author, or characteristic peculiarity of an artist. (b.) (pl.) Carriage; behavior; deportment; also, decent and respectful deportment; becoming behavior; well-bred carriage and address. (c.) Customary method of acting; habit.
Show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. 1 Sam. viii. 9.
Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them. Acts xvii. 2.
Air and manner are more expressive than words. Richardson.
Sense 3. Certain degree or measure; as, it is in a manner done already.
The bread is in a manner common. 1 Sam. xxi. 5.
Sense 4. Sort; kind; style;—in this application having the sense of a plural, sorts or kinds.
Ye tithe mint, and rue, and all manner of herbs. Luke xi. 42. And shall say all manner of evil against you falsely. Matt. v. 11.
I bid thee say, What manner of man art thou? Coleridge.
In old usage, of was sometimes omitted after manner, when employed in this sense. “A manner Latin corrupt.” Chaucer.
In a manner, in a certain degree, measure, or sense; to a certain extent.
Augustinus does in a manner confess the charge. Baker. — To be taken in, or with, the manner, to be taken in the very act. See MAINOR. — To make one's manners, to make a bow or courtesy; to offer salutation.
Synonyms— Method; mode; custom; habit; fashion; air; look; mien; aspect; appearance. See METHOD.