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To apply a substance to a surface
“Cautiously, overcoming his clumsiness, he proceeded to rub the ointment into the skin of her face and neck.”
To make glossy or shiny by rubbing
“Rub the surface until it is shiny, by hand or with a polisher.”
To wear away or cause damage through applied friction
“They shouldn't do this, though, because the fiberglass edges can rub on the skin and cause irritation.”
To smooth by rubbing or applying friction
“Carefully rub it smooth with fine steel wool.”
To apply massage or knead, especially with one's hands
“It is important not to just rub the skin over the area, but to apply firm downward pressure with the thumb, knuckle or elbow.”
To remove moisture from (something)
“Rinse it off with fair water, and rub it dry with a clean linen cloth.”
To touch or feel with the fingers
To move (a baby or young child) up and down in a playful or affectionate way
To remove, get rid of or erase, especially written or printed material, or data on a computer
To apply a (typically creamy or dusty) substance
To touch or brush lightly in passing
To grind or grate with an audible noise
To grind to a fine powder, to pulverize
An act of rubbing something
“Give it a good rub over with the sponge and then towel it.”
An act of massaging a body part
“The pain startled him out of his thoughts, but a quick rub of the injury relieved the throbbing.”
The central problem or difficulty in a situation
“But surely the rub is in implementing these worthy principles!”
Something that causes irritation or frustration
“Moreover, and this is the rub, this requirement is, for all intents and purposes, absolute.”
A smooth oily substance that is rubbed on the skin for medicinal purposes or as a cosmetic
An act of stroking, especially with affection
A brief application of a piece of absorbent material to a surface
A difficult or tangled situation
An act or sound of scraping, grinding or grating
Related Words and Phrases
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