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definitions

manipulate

[ muh-nip-yuh-leyt ]
/ məˈnɪp yəˌleɪt /
|

verb (used with object), ma·nip·u·lat·ed, ma·nip·u·lat·ing.

to manage or influence skillfully, especially in an unfair manner: to manipulate people's feelings.
to handle, manage, or use, especially with skill, in some process of treatment or performance: to manipulate a large tractor.
to adapt or change (accounts, figures, etc.) to suit one's purpose or advantage.
Medicine/Medical. to examine or treat by skillful use of the hands, as in palpation, reduction of dislocations, or changing the position of a fetus.

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Nearby words

  1. maninke,
  2. manioc,
  3. maniple,
  4. manipulable,
  5. manipular,
  6. manipulation,
  7. manipulative,
  8. manipulator,
  9. manipur,
  10. manisa

Origin of manipulate

First recorded in 1820–30; back formation from manipulation
SYNONYMS FOR manipulate
3 juggle, falsify.
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for manipulatable

manipulate

/ (məˈnɪpjʊˌleɪt) /

verb

(tr) to handle or use, esp with some skill, in a process or actionto manipulate a pair of scissors
to negotiate, control, or influence (something or someone) cleverly, skilfully, or deviously
to falsify (a bill, accounts, etc) for one's own advantage
(in physiotherapy) to examine or treat manually, as in loosening a joint
Derived Forms

Word Origin for manipulate

C19: back formation from manipulation, from Latin manipulus handful
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

Word Origin and History for manipulatable

manipulate

v.

1827, "to handle skillfully by hand," a back-formation from manipulation. Of mental influence, from 1864. Financial sense is from 1870. In mid-20c., it served as a euphemism for "masturbation." Related: Manipulated; manipulating.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for manipulatable

manipulate

[ mə-nĭp′yə-lāt′ ]

v.

To handle and move in an examination or for therapeutic purposes.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.