manier
to handle, to wield
verb ma-NYEH Rare
Origin: From Old French 'manier', from 'main' (hand).
Also means
to manage, to use skillfully
Usage Note
Manier implies skilled or practiced handling — manier une arme (to wield a weapon), manier les mots (to handle words deftly). It is more deliberate than tenir (to hold) and implies competence. The noun maniement refers to the act of handling or operating something.
Examples
"Il sait bien manier les outils de charpentier."
Natural Translation
He knows how to handle carpenter's tools well.

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