manor
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a large country house and the land around it, especially in historical times.
a landed estate or the principal residence of a lord, typically dating from the medieval or early modern period.
Simple“The family has lived in the old manor for over three hundred years.”
In context“The restoration of the Elizabethan manor required specialized craftsmen to preserve the original timber framing and stone masonry.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
the area where someone lives or the district a police officer looks after.
a specific district or territory where authority is exercised or where a person resides. Often used in police or criminal contexts.
Simple“The retired detective still knew everyone on his old manor.”
In context“The local gang was protective of their manor, viewing any outside interference as a direct provocation.”
UsageOften used with the possessive 'my' or 'his' to indicate personal territory.
Teacher's tipThis sense is highly specific to British English and is frequently heard in London-based crime dramas.
Synonyms
“Dreams of living in a Georgian manor house with 15 acres of grounds would usually be associated with a big lottery win.”
“Sweet has had unfettered access to the cornucopia of material that Cartland left behind at Camfield Place, the Hertfordshire manor house where she lived until her death in 2000 at the age of 98.”
From Middle English maner, manour; from Old French manoir, from earlier maneir, from Latin manēre. Doublet of maenor.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.