non-manual
UK[ˌnɒn ˈmæn.ju.əl]US[ˌnɑːn ˈmæn.ju.əl]
adj
Not involving or requiring the use of the hands.
adj
Relating to or describing aspects of communication (especially in sign languages) that do not involve hand signs, such as facial expressions, body posture, or head movements.
Morpheme Breakdown
non
manual
non
not
manual
hand
Etymology
The word "non-manual" is a modern English compound formed by directly combining the Latin-derived negative prefix "non-" with the adjective "manual." "Manual" itself originates from the Latin manualis, meaning "of or belonging to the hand," which is derived from manus (hand), a word of Proto-Indo-European ancestry. The compound's logic is transparently literal, creating a term that means "not of the hand." Its specialized application in linguistics, particularly to describe the non-hand components of sign language communication, is a logical extension of this core meaning, distinguishing manual signs from other critical bodily signals.
Analysis
Structure: non (not) + manual (hand)
- non: A prefix of Latin origin, meaning "not." It functions as a negative or privative element.
- manual: An adjective of Latin origin (from manus, meaning "hand"). It functions as the core root describing something related to the hand.
Examples
Non-manual signals, such as raised eyebrows, are grammatical markers in American Sign Language.
The job transitioned from manual labor to a more non-manual, administrative role.
The study compared the cognitive load of manual versus non-manual tasks.