to the manner born

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

Coined by William Shakespeare in 1603 in Hamlet, act 1, scene 4:

But to my mind, though I am native here
And to the manner born, it is a custom
More honored in the breach than the observance.

Pronunciation

[edit]

Adjective

[edit]

to the manner born

  1. Familiar from birth with a specified custom, behavior, accouterment, etc.; naturally suited to it.
    • 1977, Gāmini Salgādo, The Elizabethan Underworld, Folio Society, published 2006, page 16:
      This [...] involved not only wearing certain clothes as if to the manner born, but being familiar with the gestures and the style of conversation associated with such clothes.
    • 2008 November 10, Jeremy Alexander, The Guardian:
      Stephen Ward, a winger converted to emergency left-back two months ago, now looks to the manner born.

Synonyms

[edit]

See also

[edit]