MASSAGE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does massage mean? 

• MASSAGE (noun)
  The noun MASSAGE has 1 sense:

1. kneading and rubbing parts of the body to increase circulation and promote relaxation

  Familiarity information: MASSAGE used as a noun is very rare.

• MASSAGE (verb)
  The verb MASSAGE has 2 senses:

1. manually manipulate (someone's body), usually for medicinal or relaxation purposes

2. give a massage to

  Familiarity information: MASSAGE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MASSAGE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Kneading and rubbing parts of the body to increase circulation and promote relaxation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("massage" is a kind of...):

intervention; treatment (care provided to improve a situation (especially medical procedures or applications that are intended to relieve illness or injury))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "massage"):

rubdown (the act of rubbing down, usually for relaxation or medicinal purposes)

cardiac massage; heart massage (an emergency procedure that employs rhythmic compression of the heart (either through the chest wall or, during surgery, directly to the heart) in an attempt to maintain circulation during cardiac arrest)

effleurage (a rhythmic stroking)

petrissage (massage of the skin which is gently lifted and squeezed)

reflexology (massage to relieve tension by finger pressure; based on the belief that there are reflex points on the feet, hands, and head that are connected to every part of the body)

Swedish massage (massage combined with a system of active and passive exercises for the muscles and joints)

tapotement (massage in which the body is tapped rhythmically with the fingers or with short rapid movements of the sides of the hand; used to loosen mucus on the chest walls of patients with bronchitis)

Derivation:

massage (give a massage to)

massage (manually manipulate (someone's body), usually for medicinal or relaxation purposes)

• MASSAGE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they massage    ... he / she / it massages   
Past simple: massaged   
Past participle: massaged   
-ing form: massaging   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Manually manipulate (someone's body), usually for medicinal or relaxation purposes

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

knead; massage; rub down

Context example:

She rubbed down her child with a sponge

Hypernyms (to "massage" is one way to...):

manipulate (hold something in one's hands and move it)

"Massage" entails doing...:

rub (move over something with pressure)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

massage (kneading and rubbing parts of the body to increase circulation and promote relaxation)

massager (someone who rubs or kneads parts of the body to stimulate circulation and promote relaxation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Give a massage to

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Context example:

She massaged his sore back

Hypernyms (to "massage" is one way to...):

care for; treat (provide treatment for)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

Did he massage his foot?

Derivation:

massage (kneading and rubbing parts of the body to increase circulation and promote relaxation)

massager (someone who rubs or kneads parts of the body to stimulate circulation and promote relaxation)

 Context examples 

Naturopathy is based on the use of natural agents such as air, water, light, heat, and massage to help the body heal itself.

(Naturopathy, NCI Dictionary)

A system of therapy based on preventative care, and on the use of heat, water, light, air, and massage as primary therapies for disease.

(Naturopathy Therapy, NCI Thesaurus)

This therapy uses massage to move the fluid away from areas where lymph vessels are blocked, damaged, or removed by surgery.

(Complex decongestive therapy, NCI Dictionary)

Travel for work or fun—or if that’s not possible, treat yourself to a massage or facial after work.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Stretching or gently massaging the muscle can relieve this pain.

(Muscle Cramps, NIH)

CAM may include dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, acupuncture, massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation.

(CAM, NCI Dictionary)

Complementary and alternative medicine may include dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, acupuncture, massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation.

(Complementary and Alternative Medicine, NCI Dictionary)

This systems of practice includes acupuncture, acupressure, herbal applications, massage, diet, and exercises.

(Oriental medicine, NCI Thesaurus)

Mugo pine oil is used primarily for its aroma but is also used in massage oils.

(Pine Needle Oil Pinus mugo, NCI Thesaurus)

The application of pressure or localized massage to specific sites on the body to control symptoms such as pain or nausea.

(Acupressure, NCI Dictionary)