message

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”). Displaced native Old English ærende which is survived in English errand.

noun

1. A communication, or what is communicated; any concept or information conveyed.
   We've just received an urgent message from the President.
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. 2013-06-29, “Travels and travails”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8842, page 55
3. (UK, Ireland, chiefly in the plural) 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. 1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 27
4. (Ireland, Scotland, Northern England) See messages (“groceries, shopping”).

verb

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. (intransitive) 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. (obsolete) To bear as a message.