Manlier sort of rock (7)
I believe the answer is:
mineral
'rock' is the definition.
'manlier sort' is the wordplay.
'sort' is an anagram indicator.
'manlier' anagrammed gives 'MINERAL'.
'of' is the link.
(Other definitions for mineral that I've seen before include "Mined substance" , "E.g. bauxite, quartz" , "Neither animal nor vegetable" , "Metal ore" , "Made from inorganic matter" .)