manipulate

[ muh-nip-yuh-leyt ]
/ məˈnɪp yəˌleɪt /

verb (used with object), ma·nip·u·lat·ed, ma·nip·u·lat·ing.

to manage or influence skillfully, especially in an unfair manner: to manipulate people's feelings.
to handle, manage, or use, especially with skill, in some process of treatment or performance: to manipulate a large tractor.
to adapt or change (accounts, figures, etc.) to suit one's purpose or advantage.
Medicine/Medical. to examine or treat by skillful use of the hands, as in palpation, reduction of dislocations, or changing the position of a fetus.

Origin of manipulate

First recorded in 1820–30; back formation from manipulation

OTHER WORDS FROM manipulate

Example sentences from the Web for manipulate

British Dictionary definitions for manipulate

manipulate
/ (məˈnɪpjʊˌleɪt) /

verb

(tr) to handle or use, esp with some skill, in a process or action to manipulate a pair of scissors
to negotiate, control, or influence (something or someone) cleverly, skilfully, or deviously
to falsify (a bill, accounts, etc) for one's own advantage
(in physiotherapy) to examine or treat manually, as in loosening a joint

Derived forms of manipulate

Word Origin for manipulate

C19: back formation from manipulation, from Latin manipulus handful

Medical definitions for manipulate

manipulate
[ mə-nĭpyə-lāt′ ]

v.

To handle and move in an examination or for therapeutic purposes.