message

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmɛsɪdʒ/

noun

  • 1a verbal, written, or recorded communication sent to or left for a recipient who cannot be contacted directly: if I’m not there leave a message on the answerphone
  • (also mail message) an email or similar electronic communication: select an option to delete your mail messages
  • an electronic communication generated automatically by a computer program and displayed on a screen: an error message
  • a communication from a prophet or preacher, believed to be inspired by God: Jesus and his followers were promulgating a specifically Judaic message for Judaic adherents
  • US a television or radio advertisement: we’ll be back after these messages
  • 2a significant political, social, or moral point that is being conveyed by a film, speech, etc.: a campaign to get the message about home security across
  • 3Scottish & Irish an errand: he would run those interminable messages after school to the bookie
  • (messages) things bought on an errand; shopping.

verb

[with object]
  • send a message to (someone), especially by email: I was messaged by a Californian contact for some information (as noun messaging) the software package incorporates messaging, scheduling, and workflow functions

Phrases

get the message

informal understand what is implied by a remark or action: as soon as you tell students they’d do better on a more practical course they get the message they’re dum-dums

send a message

make a significant statement, either implicitly or by one’s actions: it sends a message to potential foreign investors

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French, based on Latin missus, past participle of mittere 'send'