[man.ner] n [ME manere, fr. OF maniere way of acting, fr. (assumed) VL manuaria, fr. L, fem. of manuarius of the hand, fr. manus hand--more at manual] (12c) 1 a: kind, sort "what ~ of man is he" b: kinds, sorts "all ~ of problems"
2. a (1): a characteristic or customary mode of acting: custom (2): a mode of procedure or way of acting: fashion (3): method of artistic execution or mode of presentation: style b pl: social conduct or rules of conduct as shown in the prevalent customs "Victorian ~s" c: characteristic or distinctive bearing, air, or deportment "his poised gracious ~" d pl (1): habitual conduct or deportment: behavior "mind your ~s" (2): good manners e: a distinguished or stylish air syn see bearing, method -- man.ner.less adj