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

Several players said they would rely on the Rams’ training staff to help them modify weekly routines that include massage, acupuncture and other bodywork sessions with California providers outside of the organization.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It took some massaging of the situation to get Sienna back on board with becoming a Bruin.

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And then he gets, like, weirdly close to me, and he says, ‘And the right kind of massage.’

Read more on Salon

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

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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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• caress 
• pat 
• rub