manipulation
(məˌnɪpjuːˈleɪʃən)
[a. F. manipulation = Sp. manipulacion, Pg. manipula{cced}ão, It. manipolazione, ad. mod.L. type *manipulatiōn-em, f. *manipulāre (= It. manipolare, F. manipuler: see manipulate v.), f. L. manipulus handful.]
† 1. The method of digging silver ore. Obs.
The sole sense recognized in Eng. Dicts. down to and including Todd, 1818.
| 1727–41 Chambers Cycl., Manipulation, a term used in the mines, to signify the manner of digging the silver, &c. out of the earth. 1731 in Bailey vol. II. |
2. Chem. The method of handling apparatus, etc. in experiments. In Pharmacy, ‘the preparation of drugs’ (Webster 1828–32).
| 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) II. 482 It is only by an exact similarity in all the essential points of Manipulation, that results exactly similar can be expected. 1805 W. Saunders Min. Waters 354 The various sources of inaccuracy to which chemical manipulations are liable. 1827 Faraday in B. Jones Life (1870) I. 396 The word manipulation,..though not usual in ordinary language, is so peculiarly expressive of the great object of these lectures, that I could not hesitate a moment to use it. 1854 Ronalds & Richardson Chem. Technol. (ed. 2) I. 48 The average amount of ash obtained by laboratory manipulation. |
3. gen. The handling of objects for a particular purpose; manual management; in Surgery, the manual examination of a part of the body. Also, making motions with the hand, manual action.
| 1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. IV. l. 536 However tedious some of the foregoing manipulations may seem, they are..much less so than those required in several other branches of Natural History. 1846 Greener Sci. Gunnery 403 The manipulation of this musket. 1852 Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C. xx. 207 In the zeal of her manipulations, the young disciple had contrived to snatch a pair of gloves and a ribbon, which she had adroitly slipped into her sleeves. 1853 Faber All for Jesus (1854) 246 A profound reverence for all the benedictions of the Church, for her sacraments, forms, and manipulations. 1872 T. G. Thomas Dis. Women (ed. 3) 72 Conjoined manipulation is of great importance. 1878 A. H. Markham Gt. Frozen Sea xv. 206 To handle delicate instruments, the manipulation of which, even in a temperate climate, requires the utmost care. 1879 J. J. Young Ceram. Art 41 In Oriental work..we..find skill in manipulation, similitude in drawing, and beauty in color. |
4. The act of operating upon or managing persons or things with dexterity; esp. with disparaging implication, unfair management or treatment (of documents, etc.).
| 1828 Sir W. Napier Penins. War I. 6 The organization of Napoleon's army was simple, the administration vigorous, the manipulations well contrived. 1843 Ruskin Mod. Paint. ii. iii. ii. §10 The exquisite manipulation of the master gives to each atom of the multitude its own character and expression. 1864 Bowen Logic xi. 364 No manipulation, no analysis, of these Truths previously demonstrated would enable him to evolve from them..the measure of this particular angle. 1875 Stubbs Const. Hist. II. xvii. 611 The third estate..was only too susceptible of royal manipulation. 1883 Stubbs' Merc. Circular 8 Nov. 982/2 The shirtings which are not susceptible of manipulation with clay and sizing. 1888 Nation (N.Y.) 9 Aug. 107/2 Manipulation signifies a common understanding and design on the part of a clique of operators to raise or depress values in order to get other people's money. 1908 Westm. Gaz. 26 Aug. 2/2 The opportunity for market manipulation is obvious. |