manner
man·ner / ˈmanər/ • n. 1. a way in which a thing is done or happens: taking notes in an unobtrusive manner. ∎ a style in literature or art: a dramatic poem in the manner of Goethe. ∎ Gram. a semantic category of adverbs and adverbials that answer the question “how?”: an adverb of manner. ∎ (manner of) chiefly poetic/lit. a kind or sort of: what manner of man is he?2. a person's outward bearing or way of behaving toward others: his arrogance and pompous manner a shy and diffident manner.3. (manners) polite or well-bred social behavior: didn't your mother teach you any manners? ∎ social behavior or habits: Tim apologized for his son's bad manners. ∎ the way a motor vehicle handles or performs: it impressed us with its distinctly unvanlike road manners.PHRASES: all manner of many different kinds of: they accuse me of all manner of evil things.by no (or any) manner of meanssee means.in a manner of speaking in some sense; so to speak.to the manner born naturally at ease in a specified job or situation: she slipped into a more courtly role as if to the manner born. ∎ destined by birth to follow a custom or way of life.DERIVATIVES: man·ner·less adj.ORIGIN: Middle English: from Old French maniere, based on Latin manuarius ‘of the hand,’ from manus ‘hand.’
