The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Manual \Man"u*al\, n. [Cf. F. manuel, LL. manuale. See Manual,
   a.]
   1. A small book, such as may be carried in the hand, or
      conveniently handled; a handbook; specifically, the
      service book of the Roman Catholic Church.
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            This manual of laws, styled the Confessor's Laws.
                                                  --Sir M. Hale.
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   2. (Mus.) A keyboard of an organ or harmonium for the
      fingers, as distinguished from the pedals; a clavier, or
      set of keys. --Moore (Encyc. of Music).
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   3. (Mil.) A prescribed exercise in the systematic handing of
      a weapon; as, the manual of arms; the manual of the sword;
      the manual of the piece (cannon, mortar, etc.).
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Manual \Man"u*al\ (m[a^]n"[-u]*al), a. [OE. manuel, F. manuel,
   L. manualis, fr. manus hand; prob. akin to AS. mund hand,
   protection, OHG. munt, G. m["u]ndel a ward, vormund guardian,
   Icel. mund hand. Cf. Emancipate, Legerdemain, Maintain,
   Manage, Manner, Manure, Mound a hill.]
   1. Of or pertaining to the hand.
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   2. Performed by a person using physical as contrasted with
      mental effort; as, manual labor.
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   3. Done or made by the hand. In some contexts, contrasted
      with automatic or mechanical. "Manual and ocular
      examination." --Tatham.
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   Manual exercise (Mil.) the exercise by which soldiers are
      taught the use of their muskets and other arms.

   Seal manual, the impression of a seal worn on the hand as a
      ring.

   Sign manual. See under Sign.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

manual
    adj 1: of or relating to the hands; "manual dexterity"
    2: requiring human effort; "a manual transmission" [ant:
       automatic]
    3: doing or requiring physical work; "manual labor"; "manual
       laborer"
    n 1: a small handbook
    2: (military) a prescribed drill in handling a rifle [syn:
       manual of arms, manual]