manner

Where does the word "manner" come from? It comes from Latin manus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Manner’s story begins in Latin: manus meant “hand.” Hand, giving rise to manuarius (of the hand, by hand). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as maniere. Carried into French for a way of handling or doing something. It reached English by 1200s as manner. Settled as the English word for a way of doing something, or polite behavior. Today, manner means a way of doing something, or a person's polite social behavior.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient manus "hand", hand, giving rise to manuarius (of the hand, by hand).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval maniere "a way of doing something", carried into French for a way of handling or doing something.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s manner "a way of doing something, or polite social behavior", settled as the English word for a way of doing something, or polite behavior.