GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Rub , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rubbed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Rubbing.] [Probably of Celtic origin; cf. W. rhwbiaw, gael. rub.]
   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.
   
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   To move over the surface of (a body) with pressure and friction; to graze; to chafe; as, the boat rubs the ground.
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   To cause (a body) to move with pressure and friction along a surface; as, to rub the hand over the body.
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   Two bones rubbed hard against one another.
   Arbuthnot.
   
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   To spread a substance thinly over; to smear.
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   The smoothed plank, . . .
   New rubbed with balm.
   Milton.
   
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   To scour; to burnish; to polish; to brighten; to cleanse; -- often with up or over; as, to rub up silver.
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   The whole business of our redemption is to rub over the defaced copy of the creation.
   South.
   
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   To hinder; to cross; to thwart. [R.]
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   'T is the duke's pleasure,
   Whose disposition, all the world well knows,
   Will not be rubbed nor stopped.
   Shak.
   
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   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.
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