from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Manual \Man"u*al\ (m[a^]n"[-u]*al), a. [OE. manuel, F. manuel,
L. manualis, fr. manus hand; prob. akin to AS. mund hand,
protection, OHG. munt, G. m["u]ndel a ward, vormund guardian,
Icel. mund hand. Cf. {Emancipate}, {Legerdemain}, {Maintain},
{Manage}, {Manner}, {Manure}, {Mound} a hill.]
1. Of or pertaining to the hand.
[1913 Webster]
2. Performed by a person using physical as contrasted with
{mental} effort; as, manual labor.
[1913 Webster]
3. Done or made by the hand. In some contexts, contrasted
with {automatic} or {mechanical}. "Manual and ocular
examination." --Tatham.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
{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}.
[1913 Webster]