An adjective used primarily in black communities to describe stereotypical male behavior, usually in male children and butch women.

For example: "Stop acting mannish like you grown!"

Man"nish (?), a. [Man + -ish: cf. AS. mennisc, menisc.]

1.

Resembling a human being in form or nature; human.

Chaucer.

But yet it was a figure Most like to mannish creature. Gower.

2.

Resembling, suitable to, or characteristic of, a man, manlike, masculine.

Chaucer.

A woman impudent and mannish grown. Shak.

3.

Fond of men; -- said of a woman.

[Obs.]

Chaucer.

-- Man"nish*ly (#),adv. -- Man"nish*ness, n.

 

© Webster 1913.

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