massage /ˈmasɑːʒ , məˈsɑːʒ , -dʒ/▸

massage /ˈmasɑːʒ , məˈsɑːʒ , -dʒ/
▸ noun [mass noun] the rubbing and kneading of muscles and joints of the body with the hands, especially to relieve tension or pain:
massage can ease tiredness |
[count noun] a massage will help loosen you up.
▸ verb [with obj.]
1 rub and knead (a person or part of the body) with the hands:
she massaged his tired muscles.
▪ (massage something in/into/on to) rub a substance into (the skin or hair):
gently massage the cream on to your face.
2 manipulate (facts or figures) to give a more acceptable result:
the accounts had been massaged to suit the government.
– PHRASES
massage someone's ego
flatter someone:
I chose a man who massaged my bruised ego.
– DERIVATIVES massager noun.
– ORIGIN late 19th cent.: from French, from masser ‘knead, treat with massage’, probably from Portuguese amassar ‘knead’, from massa ‘dough’.