Agency Dictionary

Manifesto

nounPronunciation: /ˌmæn.əˈfes.toʊ/

In Portuguese: Manifesto

What does “Manifesto” mean?

A public written declaration setting forth the intentions, motives, political convictions, or philosophical principles of an individual, artistic group, or corporate enterprise.

Etymology

From Italian manifesto, related to Latin manifestus (apparent, clearly revealed, palpable). Latin manifestus combines manus (hand) with an element whose exact form and origin are uncertain, though it conveyed the sense of making something tangible or openly visible. The word entered English in the mid-17th century as a term for a public declaration of principles or intentions.

Synonyms

declaration
proclamation
statement
platform

Word family

manifest
manifestation
manifestly

Usage examples

It should be written in an email, in a treatise, in a manifesto, in a paper letter, in an agenda, in a memorandum, in a corporate newsletter, and in a poster at the entrance of your building.

Concepts

Source editions

Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.

Words of the same theme

Antithesisnoun: A person, thing, or concept that represents the direct or exact opposite of another.
Rebirthnoun: A new beginning after a period of decline or destruction, used in mythology to describe the cyclical return to life after death. In Archetype.0, rebirth is the defining characteristic of both the Bennu and the Phoenix.
Discursiveadjective: Proceeding by reasoned argument or sequential exposition rather than by immediate visual intuition.
paperweightnoun: A small, heavy object placed on loose sheets of paper to prevent them from scattering or blowing away.
quotationnoun: A group of words taken verbatim from a published text or speech and repeated by another author.
omissionnoun: The intentional or accidental act of leaving something out or excluding details from a statement or text.
Maximnoun: A concise statement expressing a fundamental principle, general truth, or practical rule of conduct.
Stigmanoun: A mark of social disgrace, shame, or prejudice associated with a particular circumstance, trait, or behavior.
verbatimadjective: In exactly the same words as the original, word for word. Said of a quotation or a transcription that changes nothing.
rhetoricnoun: The art of effective and persuasive speaking or writing, especially through strategic linguistic devices.
literary devicenoun: A technique that a writer uses to produce a particular effect or to convey meaning, such as metaphor, irony, repetition, quotation or aphorism.

Also from these editions: terms

Treatisenoun: A formal, systematic, and comprehensive written work dealing methodically with the principles and evidence of a particular philosophical, scientific, or technical subject.
Acronymnoun: A word formed from the initial components of a longer name or phrase. It simplifies complex institutional designations into recognizable units.
Braverynoun: The moral quality or mental disposition that enables a person to encounter danger, difficulty, or acute pain with resolute courage, composure, and firmness of purpose.
Compassnoun: A navigational instrument equipped with a magnetized needle indicating magnetic north and other cardinal directions. Metaphorically, it designates an ethical principle or core belief providing personal guidance.
Degenerationnoun: The process of declining from a higher to a lower state of quality, vitality, or structural integrity. It characterizes systemic decay within neglected institutions or ecosystems.
Detachmentnoun: The state of being emotionally objective, aloof, or free from clingy psychological attachments to outcomes, possessions, or dogmas. In Eastern philosophy, it represents spiritual liberation.
Endogenousadjective: Originating, growing, or developing from within an internal system rather than from external influences. It describes organic resources, native factors, and self-regulating organizational dynamics.
Fictionalizeverb: To turn real events, characters, or brand narratives into imaginative storytelling formats. It allows storytellers and marketers to communicate deeper emotional truths through symbolic narratives.
Intertextualitynoun: The complex relationship and dialogue between different texts and cultural expressions. It demonstrates how contemporary works constantly reference, adapt, and transform preceding ideas.
Liquiditynoun: The quality of flowing easily, adapting continuously, and lacking permanent shape. In modern sociology, it describes the transient, rapidly changing nature of contemporary social relationships.
Mindsetnoun: An established set of attitudes and habitual assumptions held by a person or organization. It shapes how information is processed and how challenges are approached.
Monknoun: A man who belongs to a religious community and dedicates his life to prayer, contemplation, and ascetic spiritual practices, typically under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.