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”). Partially displaced Old English ærende (whence errand).
1
A communication, or what is communicated; any concept or information conveyed.
We've just received an urgent message from the President.
He received a message telling him to update his laptop.
3 more examples
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 heart1890, Pierce Egan, The Wonder of Kingswood Chace, page 72:
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 June 29, “Travels and travails”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8842, archived from the original on 12 Mar 2023, page 55:
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:
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”). Partially displaced Old English ærende (whence errand).
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
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.