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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Rub \Rub\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Rubbed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Rubbing}.] [Probably of Celtic origin; cf. W. rhwbiaw, gael. rub.]
1. To subject (a body) to the action of something moving over its surface with pressure and friction, especially to the action of something moving back and forth; as, to rub the flesh with the hand; to rub wood with sandpaper.
It shall be expedient, after that body is cleaned, to rub the body with a coarse linen cloth. --Sir T. Elyot.
2. To move over the surface of (a body) with pressure and friction; to graze; to chafe; as, the boat rubs the ground.
3. To cause (a body) to move with pressure and friction along a surface; as, to rub the hand over the body.
Two bones rubbed hard against one another. --Arbuthnot.
4. To spread a substance thinly over; to smear.
The smoothed plank, . . . New rubbed with balm. --Milton.
5. To scour; to burnish; to polish; to brighten; to cleanse; -- often with up or over; as, to rub up silver.
The whole business of our redemption is to rub over the defaced copy of the creation. --South.
6. To hinder; to cross; to thwart. [R.]
'T is the duke's pleasure, Whose disposition, all the world well knows, Will not be rubbed nor stopped. --Shak.
{To rub down}. (a) To clean by rubbing; to comb or curry; as, to down a horse. (b) To reduce or remove by rubbing; as, to rub down the rough points.
{To rub off}, to clean anything by rubbing; to separate by friction; as, to rub off rust.
{To rub out}, to remove or separate by friction; to erase; to obliterate; as, to rub out a mark or letter; to rub out a stain.
{To rub up}. (a) To burnish; to polish; to clean. (b) To excite; to awaken; to rouse to action; as, to rub up the memory.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
rub
noun
1: an unforeseen obstacle [syn: {hang-up}, {hitch}, {snag}]
2: the act of rubbing or wiping; "he gave the hood a quick rub" [syn: {wipe}]
verb
1: move over something with pressure; "rub my hands"; "rub oil into her skin"
2: cause friction; "my sweater scratches" [syn: {fray}, {fret}, {chafe}, {scratch}]
3: scrape or rub as if to relieve itching; "Don't scratch your insect bites!" [syn: {scratch}, {itch}] [also: {rubbing}, {rubbed}]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
rubbed See {rub}
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |