məˈnipyəˌlāt sometimes ÷ -pəˌ- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: back-formation from manipulation
1. : to treat, work, or operate with the hands or by mechanical means : handle or manage especially with skill or dexterity
was a spastic child and found it difficult to manipulate a pencil — Current Biography
a cat was trained to manipulate an electric device — J.H.Masserman
manipulate an injured limb
2.
a. : to treat or manage with the mind or intellect
nature may be so manipulated that mathematical laws may be applied to it — M.R.Cohen
if we can only quantify our material and manipulate it statistically — S.L.Payne
expert both in manipulating the dialectic processes and in applying them to theology — H.O.Taylor
b.
(1) : to control the action or course of by management : utilize by controlling and managing
providence has strangely manipulated events toward this end — Agnes S. Turnbull
wealth is manipulated much as it is in our society — Abram Kardiner
manipulating a situation to achieve certain advantages — F.G.Hawley
(2) : to control, manage, or play upon by artful, unfair, or insidious means especially to one's own advantage
manipulated the Indians for national purposes, involving them in successive wars — H.M.Hyman
knew how to manipulate his weaknesses — Mary Deasy
being used and manipulated by the knowing men around him — New Republic
(3) : to force (prices) up or down by matched orders, wash sales, fictitious reports, or similar methods
groups who manipulate the prices — Vicki Baum
3. : to change by artful or unfair means so as to serve one's purpose : tamper with : doctor
considerably manipulated by the suppression … of a number of passages — Henry Fielding
suspected that the police reports were manipulated — Evelyn G. Cruickshanks
voting lists were manipulated — W.O.Douglas
Synonyms: see handle