manipulate Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb influence or control shrewdly or deviously
pull wires; pull strings.
- He manipulated public opinion in his favor
verb hold something in one's hands and move it
verb tamper, with the purpose of deception
wangle; fake; cook; misrepresent; fudge; falsify.
- Fudge the figures
- cook the books
- falsify the data
verb manipulate in a fraudulent manner
rig.
- rig prices
verb control (others or oneself) or influence skillfully, usually to one's advantage
keep in line; control.
- She manipulates her boss
- She is a very controlling mother and doesn't let her children grow up
- The teacher knew how to keep the class in line
- she keeps in line
verb treat manually, as with massage, for therapeutic purposed

LL. manipulatus, p. p. of manipulare to lead by the hand, fr. L. manipulus. See Maniple.

imperfect & past participle Manipulated ; present participle & verbal noun Manipulating

To treat, work, or operate with the hands, especially when knowledge and dexterity are required; to manage in hand work; to handle; as, to manipulate scientific apparatus.
To control the action of, by management; as, to manipulate a convention of delegates; to manipulate the stock market; also, to manage artfully or fraudulently; as, to manipulate accounts, or election returns.

To use the hands in dexterous operations; to do hand work; specifically, to manage the apparatus or instruments used in scientific work, or in artistic or mechanical processes; also, specifically, to use the hand in mesmeric operations.