Ma*nip"u*late (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Manipulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Manipulating (?).] [LL. manipulatus, p. p. of manipulare to lead by the
hand, fr. L. manipulus. See Maniple.] 1. 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.
2. 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.
Ma*nip"u*late, v. i. 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.
Ma*nip`u*la"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. manipulation.] 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.