manual alphabet

noun

: an alphabet especially for the deaf in which the letters are represented by finger positions

Illustration of manual alphabet

Illustration of manual alphabet

Examples of manual alphabet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Épée adapted these signs and added his own manual alphabet, creating a signing dictionary. National Geographic, 28 May 2019

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of manual alphabet was circa 1864

Dictionary Entries Near manual alphabet

Cite this Entry

“Manual alphabet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manual%20alphabet. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

manual alphabet

noun
: an alphabet especially for the deaf in which letters are represented by finger positions and that is used in finger spelling
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!