maniable

English

Etymology

From Middle English manyable, from Middle French maniable, from manier (“to manage”), from Latin manus (“hand”). By surface analysis, man(us) +‎ -i- +‎ -able.

Adjective

maniable (comparative more maniable, superlative most maniable)

1. (obsolete) manageable

   Synonyms: controllable, governable, rulable; see also Thesaurus:docile

   • 1605, Francis Bacon, “The First Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC, folio 11, recto:

     [A]nd it is without all controuerſie, that learning doth make the minds of men gentle, generous, maniable, and pliant to gouernment; whereas Ignorance makes them churliſh, thwart, and mutinous; […]

References

• “maniable”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “maniable”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.

Anagrams

• Lima bean, animable, lima bean

French

Etymology

From manier (“to manage”) + -able.

Pronunciation

• Audio (France (Toulouse)):

  (file)

Adjective

maniable (plural maniables)

1. handy
2. manageable, manoeuvrable

Further reading

• “maniable”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012