Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Manipulation \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.

   2. The use of the hands in mesmeric operations.

   3. Artful management; as, the manipulation of political
      bodies; sometimes, a management or treatment for purposes
      of deception or fraud.

Source : WordNet®

manipulation
     n 1: exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's
          own advantage; "his manipulation of his friends was
          scandalous" [syn: {use}]
     2: the action of touching with the hands or the skillful use of
        the hands [syn: {handling}]