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effleurage

American  
[ef-luh-rahzh] / ˌɛf ləˈrɑʒ /

noun

  1. a delicate stroking motion in massage.


effleurage British  
/ ˌɛflɜːˈrɑːʒ /

noun

  1. a light stroking technique used in massage

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (intr) to massage using this movement

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of effleurage

1885–90; < French, equivalent to effleur ( er ) (to) stroke as one would a flower (i.e., lightly; ef-, flower ) + -age -age

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The wholistic therapy incorporates herbal heat wraps, reflexology, effleurage and lymphatic drainage detoxification.

From Los Angeles Times