manipulare

Manipulare, a noun in Romanian, denotes the act or process of manipulating. It has several related senses: physical manipulation of objects, operational control of machines or systems, and social or informational influence intended to shape the actions or beliefs of others. In scientific and technical contexts, the term can describe methods that alter materials, data, or biological systems, for example data manipulation, chemical manipulation, or genetic manipulation. The English cognate is manipulation, and similar terms exist in other Romance languages, such as Italian manipolazione, Spanish manipulación, and French manipulation; all ultimately derive from the Latin manipulāre meaning to handle, from manus (hand).

In everyday language, manipulation may refer to skillful handling or operation, as in the manipulation of tools or instruments, but it also carries a negative connotation when it implies deceit or coercive influence. Ethical considerations in the use of manipulation focus on consent, transparency, and unintended consequences. In data management, "manipularea datelor" denotes actions that alter data values, often in analysis, transformation, or fraud; in genetics, "manipularea genetică" denotes modifying genetic material, a field with regulatory oversight. The term is polysemous; context determines whether it is a neutral description of handling or a value-laden critique of influence or deception.