/ ˈmænə(r); NAmE / noun
1.
[ sing. ] ( formal ) the way that sth is done or happens :
She answered in a businesslike manner .
The manner in which the decision was announced was extremely regrettable.
2.
[ sing. ] the way that sb behaves and speaks towards other people :
to have an aggressive / a friendly / a relaxed manner
His manner was polite but cool.
—see also bedside manner
3.
manners [ pl. ] behaviour that is considered to be polite in a particular society or culture :
to have good / bad manners
It is bad manners to talk with your mouth full.
He has no manners (= behaves very badly) .
—see also table manners
4.
manners [ pl. ] ( formal ) the habits and customs of a particular group of people :
the social morals and manners of the seventeenth century
•
IDIOMS
- all manner of sb/sth
- in a manner of speaking
- in the manner of sb/sth
- (as / as if) to the manner born
- what manner of ...
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French maniere , based on Latin manuarius of the hand, from manus hand.