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View synonyms for massage

massage

[ muh-sahzh, -sahjor, especially British, 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)

, mas·saged, mas·sag·ing.
  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. massage someone's ego
    massage someone's ego to boost someone's sense of self-esteem by flattery

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Derived Forms

  • ˈmassager, noun

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Other Words From

  • mas·sager mas·sagist noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of massage1

1875–80; < French, equivalent to mass ( er ) to massage (< Arabic massa to handle) + -age -age

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Word History and Origins

Origin of massage1

C19: from French, from masser to rub; see mass

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Example Sentences

It offers a unique combination of water pressure and pulsations with 10 settings plus a massage mode for gum stimulation.

You can include location-specific activities, like riding horses and trekking on a glacier, along with more general activities like dancing, getting massages, or spending long hours in bed.

A massage ball is used by physical therapists across the globe to address pressure points, myofascial relief, reducing pain.

This miracle worker can simulate a bi-directional massage as well as deep kneading, with 8 different settings.

Of course, there was the food, always the food, but also dry cleaning, oil changes, fitness centers, massages, language classes, and on and on and on.

From Fortune

Women are not taught to get a massage or do anything for ourselves because it makes us feel extraordinarily guilty.

Massage techniques are also a far cry from the Thai or Swedish variety found in most vacation destinations.

I thought I could feel something, but it was hard to tell if it was residual tingling from the massage or magic on the path.

And few of us can deny the benefits of a good massage or yoga session.

Ordinarily, a medical team might massage the heart an hour before giving up.

A little gentle massage to rejooce th' most prom'nent prochooberances is all that is nicissry.

Madame Querterot, with hands ice cool, went back to her massage, and for a little while again no one spoke.

One hour of massage is equivalent to several hours of active movement.

Those who, through some illness or infirmity, cannot take exercise, will find the greatest benefit from massage.

If skilled massage cannot be obtained, gentle rubbing of the limb will fulfil the same useful purpose.

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