massage

[muh-sahzh, -sahj, mas-ahzh]

noun

1. the act or art of treating the body by rubbing, kneading, patting, or the like, to stimulate circulation, increase suppleness, relieve tension, etc.

2. Slang.,  attentive or indulgent treatment; pampering.

   ego massage.

verb (used with object)

massaged, massaging 

1. to treat by massage.

2. Slang.,  to treat with special care and attention; coddle or pamper.

   The store massages its regular customers with gifts and private sales.

3. Informal.

   1. to manipulate, maneuver, or handle skillfully.

      to massage a bill through the Senate.

   2. to manipulate, organize, or rearrange (data, figures, or the like) to produce a specific result, especially a favorable one.

      The auditors discovered that the company had massaged the books.

massage

/ -sɑːdʒ, ˈmæsɑːʒ /

noun

1. the act of kneading, rubbing, etc, parts of the body to promote circulation, suppleness, or relaxation

verb

1. to give a massage to

2. to treat (stiffness, aches, etc) by a massage

3. to manipulate (statistics, data, etc) so that they appear to support a particular interpretation or to be better than they are; doctor

4. to boost someone's sense of self-esteem by flattery

Other Word Forms

• massager noun
• massagist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of massage¹

1875–80; < French, equivalent to mass ( er ) to massage (< Arabic massa to handle) + -age -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of massage¹

C19: from French, from masser to rub; see _mass

Example Sentences

"A friend of mine in the neighbourhood told me that I could make $300 to give another guy a massage," Lacerda said, while becoming visibly emotional.

From BBC

"I actually never saw the President in any type of massage setting," she said, alluding to the massage services that some victims have said were used to enlist them in Epstein's crimes.

From BBC

“I have no memory … of having seen anybody that resembles a young child, let’s call it what it is, at that house giving him a massage at all,” Maxwell said of Epstein.

From Salon

Brain did not deny that he had massages from many women in the homebase team as well as from others in his congregation.

From BBC

If you or someone else is experiencing heat cramps, apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• caress 
• pat 
• rub