n. 1. A cleric's house and land, especially the residence of a Presbyterian minister. 2. A large stately residence: "In a huff, the senator retreated to his manse in Butte—three stories, thirty-four rooms, stuffed with Tiffany glass lamps" (Timothy Egan). [Middle English manss, a manor house, from Medieval Latin mānsa, a dwelling, from Latin, feminine past participle of manēre, to dwell, remain; see men-3 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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