1. The hand or the part of the forelimb corresponding to the hand in vertebrate animals.
Usage: anatomy; zoology
2. In Roman law, the power or authority of a husband over his wife.
Usage: historical; legal

Examples

• The manus of a bat is highly specialized for flight.
• In comparative anatomy, the manus of primates shows remarkable similarity to that of other mammals.
• The bird's manus consists of fused bones that support the primary flight feathers.
• Ancient Roman law recognized manus as a form of marital authority.
• Paleontologists study the manus structure of extinct species to understand evolutionary relationships.