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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

to the manner born en · ADJ

Pronunciation

Etymology

Coined by William Shakespeare in 1603 in Hamlet, act 1, scene 4: : But to my mind, though I am native here : And to the manner born, it is a custom : More honored in the breach than the observance.

Meanings

  1. Familiar or adapted as if from birth with a specified custom, behavior, accouterment, etc.; naturally suited to it.
    • Stephen Ward, a winger converted to emergency left-back two months ago, now looks to the manner born. 2008 November 10, Jeremy Alexander, The Guardian:
    • This [...] involved not only wearing certain clothes as if to the manner born, but being familiar with the gestures and the style of conversation associated with such clothes. 1977, Gāmini Salgādo, The Elizabethan Underworld, Folio Society, published 2006, page 16:

Relateds

more honored in the breach