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| rub [ rub ] |
verb (past and past participle rubbed, present participle rub·bing, 3rd person present singular rubs) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive verb press and move hand on something: to move the hand or an object over the surface of something, pressing down with a repeated circular or backward and forward motion
  rubbed his aching shoulders with ointment
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2. intransitive verb touch with dragging pressure: to make dragging contact with a surface
metal parts rubbing against one another
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3. transitive and intransitive verb clean with repeated strokes: to clean, dry, or polish something, or be able to be cleaned, dried, or polished, by moving a cloth, sponge, or other implement over the surface repeatedly
rubbed the stain from the tablecloth
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4. transitive and intransitive verb cause abrasion on skin: to cause discomfort or pain by repeatedly scraping the skin
These shoes are rubbing my heels.
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noun (plural rubs) |
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| Definition: |
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1. rubbing action: a rubbing motion, or a rubbing of something with or against something else
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2. massage: a massaging of part of the body
a soothing back rub
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3. difficulty: a problem or difficulty
That's the rub: too little time.
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4. irritating thing: something that somebody does or says that irritates or offends somebody else
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| [14th century. < ?] |
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rub somebody the wrong way U.S. to irritate or annoy somebody
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