message

plural messages · alternative msg

1. A communication, or what is communicated; any concept or information conveyed.First known use 14th c.

   He received a message telling him to update his laptop.

   4 more examples

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

   I have a message from God unto thee.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Judges 3:20

   No matter how early I came down, I would find him on the veranda, smoking cigarettes, or otherwise his man would be there with a message to say that his master would shortly join me if I would kindly wait.

   1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC, page 46

   a message which Erle received with a flutter of the heart

   1890, Pierce Egan, The Wonder of Kingswood Chace, page 72

2. An errand.First known use 14th c.

   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.

   1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 27

3. CaribbeanIrelandNew ZealandScotlandin pluralAn errand to a shop, a shopping expedition; an item of shopping; (in plural) groceries.First known use 18th c.

   Hurry up, man. Look other people in the shop who want message.

   1952, Sam Selvon, A Brighter Sun

   1 more example

   On week days he did messages between the house in Carysfort Avenue and those shops in the main street of the town with which the family dealt.

   1916, James Joyce, chapter II, in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, New York, N.Y.: B[enjamin] W. Huebsch, →OCLC

4. An underlying theme or conclusion to be drawn from something.First known use 19th c.

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

   1 more example

   But, as with Hollywood, the subplots and exotic locations may distract from the real message: America’s discomfort and its foes’ glee.

   2013 June 29, “Travels and travails”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8842, archived from the original on 12 Mar 2023, page 55

present singular third person messages · participle present messaging · participle past messaged · past messaged · alternative msg

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

   Just message me for directions.

   1 more example

   I messaged her about the concert.

   Synonyms: text

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

   Please message the final report by fax.

   1 more example

   She messaged me the information yesterday.

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

   We've implemented a new messaging service.

   1 more example

   The runaway computer program was messaging non-stop.

4. obsoleteTo bear as a message.