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

I would rather do a Thai-style massage where you have your clothes on or Chinese acupressure.

From Los Angeles Times

One vendor arranged for annual trips to a resort in Maui, complete with massages, room charges, and thousands of dollars in gift cards redeemable at the resort, the complaint said.

From Los Angeles Times

He asked her both times to remove her top and massaged her breasts.

From BBC

While there, Mackey accidentally walks in on two older men receiving massages from younger women, one of whom is a tearful Dora, detained in the raid that took place earlier in the episode.

From Los Angeles Times

"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

Related Words

• caress 
• pat 
• rub