The word "manipulate" is spelled as /məˈnɪpjʊleɪt/. This word has an interesting spelling because it combines the prefix "manipul-", which comes from Latin "manipulus" meaning "a handful," with the suffix "-ate" that forms verbs. The tricky part of spelling "manipulate" is the letter "i" that appears twice in the middle of the word. This is because the Latin "manipulus" is spelled with "i," and this spelling was retained when the word was borrowed into English.
Manipulate, as a verb, refers to the act of skillfully and shrewdly influencing or controlling someone or something, typically for personal gain or benefit. It involves using clever tactics or strategies to guide or maneuver individuals or circumstances towards a desired outcome, regardless of the ethical or moral implications involved. Manipulation can be extensive in its range, affecting not only people's thoughts, emotions, or behaviors but also objects, data, or events.
The term is often associated with techniques aimed at misleading, deceiving, or coercing others through subtle or direct means of persuasion. For instance, a person might manipulate others through the careful selection and presentation of information, emotional appeals, or exploiting vulnerabilities to gain power, advantage, or control over them.
Additionally, manipulation can involve the manipulation of objects or systems, such as adjusting settings, data, or mechanisms to achieve a desired result, often in a precise and calculated manner.
However, it is important to note that manipulation is not inherently negative. It can also imply creating artful presentations, skillfully manipulating materials as part of an artistic expression, or manipulating data in scientific experiments to uncover patterns or gain insights.
In summary, manipulation encompasses the actions or techniques employed to cunningly influence, control, or handle individuals, objects, or circumstances, typically with personal interests at stake.
To treat, operate, or work by means of the hand.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "manipulate" is derived from the Latin word "manipulatus", which is the past participle of the verb "manipulare". "Manipulare" is composed of two Latin roots: "manus", meaning "hand", and "pulare", meaning "to move or handle". The term originally referred to the action of handling or controlling objects with one's hands, similar to the way a puppeteer controls a puppet. Over time, the meaning of "manipulate" expanded to include the act of cleverly and skillfully influencing or controlling people or situations.