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rubbed |
1 definition 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.
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