manner

man|ner [ `mænər ] noun **

1. ) singular the way that you do something or the way that something happens:

manner of: The manner of his death aroused a lot of interest in the media.

in a/the...manner: Customers should be treated in a courteous, friendly manner.

Things had been done in the same manner for centuries.

2. ) singular a way of behaving or speaking:

The salesman's aggressive manner put us off.

3. ) manners plural traditionally accepted ways of behaving that show a polite respect for other people:

Children learn manners by observing their parents.

good/bad manners: It's bad manners to interrupt someone.

have no manners (=behave badly): I forgot to say good-bye. They'll think I have no manners at all.

4. ) manners plural the customs or accepted social behavior of a particular group of people:

German middle-class manners

all manner of something

a great variety of people or things:

The market has all manner of interesting things for sale.

in a manner of speaking SPOKEN

used for saying that something is generally correct, but not exactly:

So are you retired now? In a manner of speaking, yes. But I still do some work.

in the manner of

in the style of:

He passed his hands in front of my eyes in the manner of a hypnotist.

(as) to the manner born

as if a particular activity or style of living is completely natural for you:

She took to her new life as to the manner born.

what manner of someone LITERARY

used for emphasis when asking a question:

What manner of man would commit such a crime?