massage

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: mas=sage

CIDE DICTIONARY

massage, n. [F.].

 A rubbing or kneading of the body, especially when performed as a hygienic or remedial measure.  [1913 Webster]

massage, v. t. 

 To treat by means of massage; to rub or knead; as, to massage a patient with ointment.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

massage, n. & v.
--n.
1 the rubbing, kneading, etc., of muscles and joints of the body with the hands, to stimulate their action, cure strains, etc.
2 an instance of this.
--v.tr.
1 apply massage to.
2 manipulate (statistics) to give an acceptable result.

Idiom

massage parlour
1 an establishment providing massage.
2 euphem. a brothel.

Derivative

massager n.

Etymology

F f. masser treat with massage, perh. f. Port. amassar knead, f. massa dough: see MASS(1)

THESAURUS

massage

bandage, bathe, care for, caress, cure, cushion, diagnose, doctor, ease, facial, facial massage, feel up, fiddle, finagle, fluff, flux, fondle, frictionize, gentle, give care to, handle, heal, knead, kneading, laxate, limber, limber up, loosen, manipulate, manipulation, mash, massaging, massotherapy, mellow, milden, minister to, mollify, nose, nurse, nuzzle, operate on, palpate, pet, physic, plaster, plump, poultice, pulp, purge, relax, remedy, rub, rub against, rub down, rub noses, rubdown, shake up, smash, soften, soften up, splint, squash, strap, stroke, stroking, subdue, supple, tenderize, tone down, treat, tune down, vibrator, whirlpool bath

ROGET THESAURUS

massage

Friction

N friction, attrition, rubbing, abrasion, scraping, confrication, detrition, contrition, affriction, abrasion, arrosion, limature, frication, rub, elbow grease, rosin, massage, roughness, rolling friction, sliding friction, starting friction, anatriptic, attrite.

Touch

N touch, tact, taction, tactility, feeling, palpation, palpability, contrectation, manipulation, massage, hand, finger, forefinger, thumb, paw, feeler, antenna, palpus, tactual, tactile, tangible, palpable, lambent.