main island of New York City, from Dutch, from a native name, perhaps representing a Delaware (Algonquian) source akin to Munsee munahan "island." Bright favors Munsee /e:nta menahahte:nk/ "where one gathers bows." As the name of a cocktail made of vermouth, whiskey, and a dash of bitters, it is attested from 1890 (in Manhattan cocktail).
Island that constitutes one of the five boroughs that make up New York City. (See also Bowery, Broadway, Central Park, Harlem, Park Avenue, Times Square, and World Trade Center.)
Note: Center of the country's financial industry (see Wall Street), communications industry, including advertising and television (see Madison Avenue), and fashion industry (see Fifth Avenue).
Note: A center of the art world (see Greenwich Village).
Note: Because of its noise and congestion, some have viewed it as unlivable, giving rise to the phrase "It's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there." In the 1990s, it experienced prosperity and a decline in crime rates.
Note: The September 11 attacks left a physical and emotional scar on Manhattan.