manger

Everyday

1. A long open box or trough that horses and cattle eat from. tree →
2. (Bible, Christmas) The manger in which Mary laid the baby Jesus, because there was no room at the inn. tree →

In the lessons

In nativity plays and carols («Away in a Manger») the manger stands for Jesus's humble birth; Christians see it as God coming in poverty. On farms a manger holds hay or feed. Phrases: «away in a manger», «lying in a manger», «dog in the manger» (someone who won't let others have what they themselves cannot use).

Examples

• Mary laid the baby Jesus in a manger. tree →
• We sang «Away in a Manger» at the carol service. tree →
• The cows ate hay from the manger. tree →
• Our nativity scene has a tiny wooden manger. tree →
• Don't be a dog in the manger: if you're not using the ball, let us play. tree →
• The shepherds found the baby lying in a manger. tree →
• Then the man filled the manger with hay. tree →

Note

Countable. Pronounced MAYN-jer. Not related to «mango» or «manager» (but it looks similar to «manager», so read carefully).