rub Meaning, Definition & Usage

Rub transitive verb

Etymology

Probably of Celtic origin; cf. W. rhwbiaw, gael. rub.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Rubbed ; present participle & verbal noun Rubbing

Definitions

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.

Rub intransitive verb

Definitions

1. To move along the surface of a body with pressure; to grate; as, a wheel rubs against the gatepost.
2. To fret; to chafe; as, to rub upon a sore.
3. To move or pass with difficulty; as, to rub through woods, as huntsmen; to rub through the world.

Rub noun

Etymology

Cf. W. rhwb. See Rub, v,t,

Definitions

1. The act of rubbing; friction.
2. That which rubs; that which tends to hinder or obstruct motion or progress; hindrance; obstruction, an impediment; especially, a difficulty or obstruction hard to overcome; a pinch.

   Every rub is smoothed on our way. Shak.

   To sleep, perchance to dream; ay, there's the rub. Shak.

   Upon this rub, the English ambassadors thought fit to demur. Hayward.

   One knows not, certainly, what other rubs might have been ordained for us by a wise Providence. W. Besant.

3. Inequality of surface, as of the ground in the game of bowls; unevenness. Shak.
4. Something grating to the feelings; sarcasm; joke; as, a hard rub.
5. Imperfection; failing; fault. Obs. Beau. & Fl.
6. A chance. Obs.

   Flight shall leave no Greek a rub. Chapman.

7. A stone, commonly flat, used to sharpen cutting tools; a whetstone; -- called also rubstone.