Definition of "manual"

A handbook.  examples

A booklet that instructs on the usage of a particular machine or product.  examples

(military) A drill in the use of weapons, etc.

(Christianity, historical) An old office-book like the modern Roman Catholic ritual.

(of an activity) Performed with the hands.  quotations  examples

(of a machine, device etc.) Operated by means of the hands.  examples

Performed by a human rather than a machine.  examples

(countable) A device that is operated using the hands, or by a human rather than a machine.

1. (automotive) A manual transmission; a gearbox, especially of a motorized vehicle, shifted by the operator.  examples

2. (by synecdoche) A vehicle with a manual transmission.  examples

3. (music) A keyboard for the hands on a harpsichord, organ, or other musical instrument.  examples

4. A manual typewriter (as contrasted with an electronic one).  examples

(countable) A procedure or operation that is done using the hands, or by a human rather than machine.

1. (medicine, colloquial) Manual measurement of the blood pressure, done with a manual sphygmomanometer.  examples

2. A bicycle technique whereby the front wheel is held aloft by the rider, without the use of pedal force.  examples

3. A similar maneuver on a skateboard, lifting the front or back wheels while keeping the tail or nose of the board from touching the ground.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • In short tutorials, the player learns the basics of skating: reverts, manuals and the ollie […]

     2007, Friedrich von Borries, Steffen P. Walz, Matthias Böttger, Space Time Play: Computer Games, Architecture and Urbanism, page 124

(uncountable) Manual control or operation.  examples