manipulation
/məˌnɪpjʊˈleɪʃ(ə)n
/noun [mass noun]
1The action of manipulating something in a skilful manner: the format allows fast picture manipulation [count noun]: conscious manipulations of oral language...
- It is the skilful manipulation of this single stitch that lends an interesting and characteristic dimension to the needlework.
- Although more a work of low relief, it shares with Apollo and Marpessa the creation of depth on a shallow surface by skilful manipulation of planes.
- Does beauty lie in the artist's skilful manipulation of materials, or ideas?
2The action of manipulating someone in a clever or unscrupulous way: there was no deliberate manipulation of visitors' emotions [count noun]: he saw through her manipulations...
- Juries are human, and can be easily swayed by the emotions of the case, and the clever manipulation of a strong barrister.
- It made perfect sense that she was working with Mercalli, and that she'd won Stratford over by clever manipulation to get her post with the company.
- Some deliberate manipulation must have taken place.
Origin
Early 18th century: from French, from Latin manipulus 'handful'.