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

The sports massage therapist is among half a dozen women who shared their distressing, and often bizarre, experiences with one of Scotland's most prolific romance fraudsters in new BBC Disclosure podcast: Matched with a Predator.

Read more on BBC

For a touch of indulgence, the on-site spa offers fantastic massages — perfect for unwinding in the city that never sleeps.

Read more on Salon

Next, we’d head to the Four Seasons for a couple’s massage and a cocktail.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“The cold little stems on the grapes would massage your feet a little bit.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some residents may see the massages as pampering, but others view it as an investment in themselves.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• caress 
• pat 
• rub