a name given to an ancient officer in the church; who, from the middle of the choir, where he was placed, gave the signal for the choristers to sing, and marked the measure, beat time, and regulated the music. The Greeks called him *me-fachoros*, because seated in the middle of the choir; but in the Latin church he was called *manuductor*; from *manus* and *duco*, "I lead;" because he led and guided the choir by the motions and gesticulation of the hand.