To rub up

To rub up
Rub Rub, v. t. [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. [1913 Webster]

It shall be expedient, after that body is cleaned, to rub the body with a coarse linen cloth. --Sir T. Elyot. [1913 Webster]

2. To move over the surface of (a body) with pressure and friction; to graze; to chafe; as, the boat rubs the ground. [1913 Webster]

3. To cause (a body) to move with pressure and friction along a surface; as, to rub the hand over the body. [1913 Webster]

Two bones rubbed hard against one another. --Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster]

4. To spread a substance thinly over; to smear. [1913 Webster]

The smoothed plank, . . . New rubbed with balm. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

5. To scour; to burnish; to polish; to brighten; to cleanse; -- often with up or over; as, to rub up silver. [1913 Webster]

The whole business of our redemption is to rub over the defaced copy of the creation. --South. [1913 Webster]

6. To hinder; to cross; to thwart. [R.] [1913 Webster]

'T is the duke's pleasure, Whose disposition, all the world well knows, Will not be rubbed nor stopped. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • rub — ► VERB (rubbed, rubbing) 1) apply firm pressure to (a surface) with a repeated back and forth motion. 2) move to and fro against a surface while pressing or grinding against it. 3) apply with a rubbing action. 4) (rub down) dry, smooth, or clean… …   English terms dictionary

  • Rub — Rub, v. t. [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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • rub — rub; rub·bage; rub·ber·ize; rub·ber·man; rub·bery; rub·bidge; rub·bish·ing; rub·bish·ly; rub·bishy; rub·ble·man; rub·bly; rub·eryth·ric; rub·eryth·rin·ic; rub·ber; rub·bish; rub·ble; mar·rub; rub·ber·neck·er; …   English syllables

  • rub — /rub/, v., rubbed, rubbing, n. v.t. 1. to subject the surface of (a thing or person) to pressure and friction, as in cleaning, smoothing, polishing, coating, massaging, or soothing: to rub a table top with wax polish; to rub the entire back area …   Universalium

  • Rub-a-dub-dub — is a nursery rhyme. Lyrics The oldest known printed version from the 14th century goes::Hey! Rub a dub dub! Ho! Rub a dub dub! Three maids in a tub,:And who do you think were there?:The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker,:And all of them… …   Wikipedia

  • rub — [rub] vt. rubbed, rubbing [ME rubben, akin to Dan rubbe, EFris rubben < IE * reup , to tear out < base * reu , to dig, tear out > ROB, RIP1, RUG, RUBBLE, L rumpere, to break] 1. to move one s hand, a cloth, etc. over (a surface …   English World dictionary

  • Rub — Rub, n. [Cf. W. rhwb. See Rub, v,t,] 1. The act of rubbing; friction. [1913 Webster] 2. That which rubs; that which tends to hinder or obstruct motion or progress; hindrance; obstruction, an impediment; especially, a difficulty or obstruction… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Rub iron — Rub Rub, n. [Cf. W. rhwb. See Rub, v,t,] 1. The act of rubbing; friction. [1913 Webster] 2. That which rubs; that which tends to hinder or obstruct motion or progress; hindrance; obstruction, an impediment; especially, a difficulty or obstruction …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Rub of the green — Rub Rub, n. [Cf. W. rhwb. See Rub, v,t,] 1. The act of rubbing; friction. [1913 Webster] 2. That which rubs; that which tends to hinder or obstruct motion or progress; hindrance; obstruction, an impediment; especially, a difficulty or obstruction …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Rub' al Khali — Pays  Arabie saoudite …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Rub al-Khali — Localisation Pays   …   Wikipédia en Français

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