manufacture

Etymology

From Middle French manufacture, from Old French, from Medieval Latin manūfactūra (“a making by hand”), from manūfactus, a compound of manū factus, manū being ablative of manus (“hand”), and factus past participle of faciō (“I do, make”). Compare manual, facture.

noun

1. The action or process of making goods systematically or on a large scale.
   After years of exporting the gum base to be used as an ingredient in the manufacture of regular chewing gum, the cooperative recently decided to start making its own gum using only chicle gum base and natural flavorings and sweeteners April 3, 2009, Olivia Feld, “New gum could mean sticky end for mess”, in CNN.com
2. Anything made, formed or produced; product.
   The roads [are] crowded with carriers, laden with rich manufactures. 1727, Jonathan Swift, A Short View of the State of Ireland
   Thus, a patented manufacture should be either better in quality or cheaper in cost than that which it is intended to supplant. 1853, Newton's London Journal of Arts and Sciences, page 133
3. (figurative) The process of such production; generation, creation.
   Our lawgivers take special pride in the ever active manufacture of new bills and laws. 1919, Boris Sidis, The Source and Aim of Human Progress
4. (horology) A watch manufacturer that makes its own parts, rather than assembling watches from parts obtained from other firms.

verb

1. To make things, usually on a large scale, with tools and either physical labor or machinery.
   Scientists are learning how to manufacture sperm and egg cells from other types of cell; others are developing "alternative" wombs July 23, 2008, Michael Brooks, “Comment: It's time for the Vatican to accept IVF”, in New Scientist
2. (transitive) To work (raw or partly wrought materials) into suitable forms for use.
   to manufacture wool into blankets
3. (derogatory) To fabricate; to create false evidence to support a point.
   Digital technology has made it so easy to manufacture lies that it's become difficult to separate fact from fiction. December 10, 2000, Daniel Zalewski, “The Misinformation Age”, in New York Times