manner Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun how something is done or how it happens
    style; fashion; way; mode.
    • her dignified manner
    • his rapid manner of talking
    • their nomadic mode of existence
    • in the characteristic New York style
    • a lonely way of life
    • in an abrasive fashion
  2. noun a way of acting or behaving
    personal manner.
  3. noun a kind
    • what manner of man are you?

WordNet

Man"ner noun
Etymology
OE. manere, F. manière, from OF. manier, adj., manual, skillful, handy, fr. (assumed) LL. manarius, for L. manuarius belonging to the hand, fr. manus the hand. See Manual.
Definitions
  1. Mode of action; way of performing or effecting anything; method; style; form; fashion.
    The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land. 2 Kings xvii. 26.
    The temptations of prosperity insinuate themselves after a gentle, but very powerful,manner. Atterbury.
  2. Characteristic mode of acting, conducting, carrying one's self, or the like; bearing; habitual style. Specifically: (a) Customary method of acting; habit.
    Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them. Acts xvii. 2.
    Air and manner are more expressive than words. Richardson.
    (b) pl. Carriage; behavior; deportment; also, becoming behavior; well-bred carriage and address.
    Good manners are made up of petty sacrifices. Emerson.
    (c) The style of writing or thought of an author; characteristic peculiarity of an artist.
  3. Certain degree or measure; as, it is in a manner done already.
    The bread is in a manner common. 1 Sam. xxi.5.
  4. Sort; kind; style; -- in this application sometimes having the sense of a plural, sorts or kinds.
    Ye tithe mint, and rue, and all manner of herbs. Luke xi. 42.
    I bid thee say, What manner of man art thou? Coleridge.
    ✍ In old usage, of was often omitted after manner, when employed in this sense. "A manner Latin corrupt was her speech." Chaucer. Syn. -- Method; mode; custom; habit; fashion; air; look; mien; aspect; appearance. See Method.

Webster 1913