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message

verb

  1. send a short communication
L37338 on Wikidata ↗

noun

  1. discrete unit of communication intended by the source for consumption by some recipient or group of recipients
L4203 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈmɛs.ɪdʒ/ / /ˈmɛs.ədʒ/ / /ˈmes.ədʒ/

noun

Etymology: From Middle English message, from Old French message, from Early Medieval Latin missāticum, derived from Latin mittere (“send”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *meyth₂- (“to exchange”). Partially displaced Old English ærende (whence errand).

  1. A communication, or what is communicated; any concept or information conveyed.

    We've just received an urgent message from the President.

    He received a message telling him to update his laptop.

  2. An underlying theme or conclusion to be drawn from something.

    The main message of the novel is that time heals all wounds.

    Even without hovering drones, a lurking assassin, a thumping score and a denouement, the real-life story of Edward Snowden, a rogue spy on the run, could be straight out of the cinema. But, as with Hollywood, the subplots and exotic locations may distract from the real message: America’s discomfort and its foes’ glee.

  3. An errand.

    I had been on a message for my father, and was walking home along the road, when I saw a tall, fine lassie coming over the bogland on the right hand side of the road.

  4. See messages (“groceries, shopping”).

verb

Etymology: From Middle English message, from Old French message, from Early Medieval Latin missāticum, derived from Latin mittere (“send”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *meyth₂- (“to exchange”). Partially displaced Old English ærende (whence errand).

  1. To send a message to; to transmit a message to, e.g. as text via a cell phone.

    Just message me for directions.

    I messaged her about the concert.

  2. To send (something) as a message; usually refers to electronic messaging.

    She messaged me the information yesterday.

    Please message the final report by fax.

  3. To send a message or messages; to be capable of sending messages.

    We've implemented a new messaging service.

    The runaway computer program was messaging non-stop.

  4. To bear as a message.