3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 
 
  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  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Rubbing  \Rub"bing\, 
  a.  &  n.  from  {Rub},  v. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  rubbing 
  n  1:  the  resistance  encountered  when  one  body  is  moved  in  contact 
  with  another  [syn:  {friction}] 
  2:  a  copy  (as  of  an  engraving)  made  by  laying  paper  over 
  something  and  rubbing  it  with  charcoal 
  3:  effort  expended  in  rubbing  one  object  against  another  [syn: 
  {friction},  {detrition}] 

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