manned
UK: mænd | US: mænd
adj. operated or controlled by a human (e.g., a manned spacecraft)
adj. staffed or occupied by people (e.g., a manned station)
The word "manned" combines "man" (from Old English mann, meaning "human") with the suffix "-ed," which forms past participles or adjectives. Historically, "man" referred broadly to humans, but over time, it became gendered. The term "manned" emerged in the 20th century, particularly in aerospace contexts, to describe vehicles or stations operated by humans. Its usage reflects societal norms of the time, though modern alternatives like "crewed" are now preferred for inclusivity.
The first manned mission to the Moon was Apollo 11.
The control tower must remain manned at all times.
Manned submarines can explore depths unreachable by robots.
The shift from manned to automated factories increased efficiency.
Critics argue that manned spaceflight is unnecessarily risky.