Main Entry: ²mess

Function: verb

Date: 14th century

transitive verb

1 : to provide with meals at a mess
2 a : to make dirty or untidy : disarrange —often used with up <don't mess up your room> b : to mix up : bungle —often used with up <really messed up my life>
3 : to interfere with —often used with up <magnetic storms that mess up communications — Time>
4 : to rough up : manhandle —often used with up <mess him up good so he won't cheat us again>intransitive verb 1 : to take meals with a mess
2 : to make a mess
3 a : putter, trifle <children like to mess around with paints> b : to handle or play with something especially carelessly <don't mess with my camera> —often used with around c : to take an active interest in something or someone <messing around with new video techniques>; also : interfere, meddle <messing in other people's affairs> <you'd better not mess with me>
4 : to become confused or make an error —usually used with up