Massage
WordNet
noun
(1) Kneading and rubbing parts of the body to increase circulation and promote relaxation
verb
(2) Give a massage to
"She massaged his sore back"
(3) Manually manipulate (someone's body), usually for medicinal or relaxation purposes
"She rubbed down her child with a sponge"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From , from + .
Noun
- The action of rubbing, kneading or hitting someone's body, to help the person relax, prepare for muscular action (as in contact sports) or to relieve aches.
- Having a massage can have many beneficial effects.
Verb
- To rub and knead (someone's body or a part of a body), to perform a massage on (somebody).
- To manipulate (data or a document) to make it more presentable or more convenient to work with.
- 2008, Patrick Wintour & Steven Morris, The Guardian, May 22 2008, p. 3:
- The Conservatives have massaged expectations down by saying they would be delighted with a majority of 1,000 [...]
- 2008, Patrick Wintour & Steven Morris, The Guardian, May 22 2008, p. 3:
- To falsify (data or accounts).