from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Manure \Ma*nure"\ (m[.a]*n[=u]r"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Manured}
(m[.a]*n[=u]rd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Manuring}.] [Contr, from
OF. manuvrer, manovrer, to work with the hand, to cultivate
by manual labor, F. man[oe]uvrer. See {Manual}, {Ure},
{Opera}, and cf. {Inure}.]
1. To cultivate by manual labor; to till; hence, to develop
by culture. [Obs.]
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To whom we gave the strand for to manure. --Surrey.
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Manure thyself then; to thyself be improved;
And with vain, outward things be no more moved.
--Donne.
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2. To apply manure to; to enrich, as land, by the application
of a fertilizing substance.
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The blood of English shall manure the ground.
--Shak.
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