massage

Universal Words noun, verb noun [U,C] the action of rubbing and pressing a person's body with the hands to reduce pain in the muscles and joints: Massage will help the pain. * a back massage * to give sb a massage * massage oils * Once a week I have a sauna and a massage. verb [VN] 1 to rub and press a person's body with the hands to reduce pain in the muscles and joints: He massaged the aching muscles in her feet. * (figurative) to massage sb's ego (= to make sb feel better, more confident, attractive, etc.) 2 to rub a substance into the skin, hair, etc: Massage the cream into your skin. 3 (disapproving) to change facts, figures, etc. in order to make them seem better than they really are: The government was accused of massaging the unemployment figures.