manipulation Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage
    use.
    • his manipulation of his friends was scandalous
  2. noun the action of touching with the hands (or the skillful use of the hands) or by the use of mechanical means
    handling.

WordNet

Ma*nip`u*la"tion noun
Etymology
Cf. F. manipulation.
Definitions
  1. The act or process of manipulating, or the state of being manipulated; the act of handling work by hand; use of the hands, in an artistic or skillful manner, in science or art.
    Manipulation is to the chemist like the external senses to the mind. Whewell.
  2. The use of the hands in mesmeric operations.
  3. Artful management; as, the manipulation of political bodies; sometimes, a management or treatment for purposes of deception or fraud.

Webster 1913