n.1 the substance miraculously supplied as food to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exod. 16).
2 an unexpected benefit (esp. manna from heaven).
3 spiritual nourishment, esp. the Eucharist.
4 the sweet dried juice from the manna-ash and other plants, used as a mild laxative.
Phrases and idioms:
manna-ash an ash tree native to S. Europe, Fraxinus ornus.
Etymology: OE f. LL f. Gk f. Aram. manna f. Heb. man, explained as man hu? what is it?, but prob. Arab. mann exudation of common tamarisk (Tamarix gallica)