1. Mode of action; way of performing or effecting anything; 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) The temptations of prosperity insinuate themselves after a gentle, but very powerful,manner. (Atterbury)
2. Characteristic mode of acting, conducting, carrying one's self, or the like; bearing; habitual style. Specifically:
Customary method of acting; habit. Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them. (acts xvii. 2) Air and manner are more expressive than words. (Richardson)
Carriage; behavior; deportment; also, becoming behavior; well-bred carriage and address. Good manners are made up of petty sacrifices. (Emerson)
The style of writing or thought of an author; characteristic peculiarity of an artist.
3. Certain degree or measure; as, it is in a manner done already. The bread is in a manner common. (1 sam. Xxi.5)
4. Sort; kind; style; in this application sometimes having the sense of a plural, sorts or kinds. Ye tithe mint, and rue, and all manner of herbs. (Luke xi. 42) I bid thee say, What manner of man art thou? (Coleridge)
in old usage, of was often omitted after manner, when employed in this sense. A manner latin corrupt was her speech. By any manner of means, in any way possible; by any sort of means. To be taken in, or with
the manner. [A corruption of to be taken in the mainor. See Mainor] to be taken in the very act. See Mainor. To make one's manners, to make a bow or courtesy; to offer salutation. Manners bit, a portion left in a dish for the sake of good manners.
Synonym: method, mode, custom, habit, fashion, air, look, mien, aspect, appearance. See method.
Origin: oe. Manere, f. Maniere, from OF. Manier, adj, manual, skillful, handy, fr. (assumed) LL. Manarius, for L. Manuarius belonging to the hand, fr. Manus the hand. See manual.