to the manner born
Appearance
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]- 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 Thesaurus:innate