man

man [man]

n.

pl. men [men] [ME < OE mann, akin to Ger mann, Goth manna < IE base * manu- (> Sans mánu-, Russ muž): akin ? to * men-, to think > MIND]

1. a human being; person; specif.,

a) a hominid (Homo sapiens) having an opposable thumb, the ability to make and use specialized tools, articulate speech, and a highly developed brain with the faculty of abstract thought: the only living hominid

b) any extinct hominid, as Neanderthal man

2. the human race; mankind: used without the or a

3.

a) an adult male human being

b) sometimes, a boy

4.

a) an adult male servant, follower, attendant, or subordinate

b) a male employee; workman

c) [usually pl.] a soldier, sailor, etc.; esp., one of the rank and file

d) Archaic a vassal

5.

a) a husband

b) a lover

6. a person with qualities conventionally regarded as manly, such as strength, courage, etc.

7. a player on a team

8. any of the pieces used in chess, checkers, etc.

9. Slang fellow; chap: used in direct address

10. Naut. a ship: used in compounds [man-of-war, merchantman]

vt.

manned, manning

1. to furnish with a labor force for work, defense, etc. [to man a ship]

2. to take assigned places in, on, or at for work or defense [man the guns!]

3. to strengthen; brace; fortify; nerve [to man oneself for an ordeal]

4. Falconry to tame or accustom (a hawk) to the presence of men

interj.

Slang

1. used to provide emphasis

2. used in a neutral way to preface or resume one's remarks

adj.

male

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as a man or as one man

in unison; unanimously

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be one's own man

1. to be free and independent

2. to be in full control of one's powers, senses, etc.

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man and boy

first as a boy and then as a man

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☆ the Man

1. Slang the person having power or authority over one; esp., as orig. used by U.S. blacks, a white man

2. a policeman

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to a man

with no one as an exception; everyone