manor
UK[ˈmænə(r)]US[ˈmænər]
n
a large country house with lands
n
(in the past) the house of a lord and the land belonging to it
n
(in england) a unit of land, originally a feudal lordship, consisting of a lord's demesne and lands rented to tenants
Etymology
the word 'manor' traces its lineage to the latin verb 'manēre', meaning 'to remain, to stay, to dwell'. this root evolved into the old french 'manoir', signifying a dwelling place or residence, particularly a substantial one. following the norman conquest of england, the term was adopted into english as 'manor', crystallizing within the feudal system to denote not just the lord's house but the entire estate and its associated legal jurisdiction. thus, the concept evolved from the simple act of dwelling to represent a specific, landed unit of social and economic organization in medieval society.
Analysis
the word 'manor' is a simplex loanword from anglo-norman and old french, where it was spelled 'manoir', meaning 'dwelling, habitation, manor house'. it is derived from the latin verb 'manēre', meaning 'to remain, stay, dwell'. the word entered english after the norman conquest and retained its core meaning related to a landed estate and its principal residence.
Examples
the old manor house has been converted into a luxury hotel.
the estate comprised several farms and the lord's manor.
in medieval times, the manor was the basic unit of rural economy and administration.