transitive. To shape or manipulate (a soft or malleable substance); esp. to knead, press, or stir (into another substance); to mix or incorporate tog…

transitive. To work on with the hands; to handle; to work up; to prepare (raw material). Now Irish English (northern): to prepare (flax) for…

transitive. To deal with, treat; to subject to some process or operation.

transitive. To work up, knead, mix, break down, or assimilate (a substance), as in the process of digestion. Also (and in earliest use) figurative.