massage
UK[ˈmæsɑːʒ]US[məˈsɑːʒ]
n
the action of rubbing and pressing a person's body with the hands to relieve tension or pain.
v
to rub and press a person's body with the hands to relieve tension or pain.
Etymology
the word 'massage' entered english in the late 19th century from french, where it functioned as both a noun and a verb. the french term derived from the portuguese 'amassar', meaning 'to knead', which itself traces back to the latin verb 'massa', meaning 'mass, dough'. this latin root is shared with the english word 'mass', referring to a cohesive lump or body. the semantic journey is vividly logical: from the concept of a kneadable dough ('massa'), to the action of kneading ('amassar'), and finally to the specialized therapeutic practice of kneading and manipulating the body's soft tissues. thus, the modern abstract meaning of therapeutic touch is built upon the ancient, literal action of working a pliable substance with the hands.
Analysis
this word is a loanword adopted as a single, unsegmentable unit into english. its components are not productive morphemes within the english language system.
Examples
she booked a deep tissue massage to soothe her sore muscles.
he learned to massage the ointment gently into the skin.
the soothing music enhanced the relaxing atmosphere of the massage.