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rub

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Rub is defined as to use your hand to apply pressure and friction in a circular motion, or to move one thing against another.

(verb)

An example of to rub is getting a back massage.
An example of to rub is to have two things move against each other with pressure, such as a horse and a saddle.

See rub in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb rubbed, rubbing

to move one's hand, a cloth, etc. over (a surface or object) with pressure and friction, in a circular or back-and-forth motion
to move (one's hand, a cloth, etc.) over, or spread or apply (polish, etc.) on or over, a surface or object in this way
to move (a thing) against something else, or move (things) over each other with pressure and friction: often followed by together, etc.
to apply pressure and friction to, for cleaning, polishing, smoothing, etc.
to put into a specified condition by applying pressure and friction: to rub oneself dry
to make sore or chafed by rubbing
to force, cause to go, etc. (in, into, etc.) by rubbing
to remove by rubbing (out, off, away, etc.)

Origin: ME rubben, akin to Dan rubbe, EFris rubben < IE *reup-, to tear out < base *reu-, to dig, tear out > rob, rip, rug, rubble, L rumpere, to break

intransitive verb

to move with pressure and friction (on, against, etc.): the tire rubbing against the fender
to rub something; exert pressure and friction on something
to admit of being rubbed or removed by rubbing: often with off, out, etc.
to arouse anger or irritation

noun

the act or an instance of rubbing; specif., a massage
an obstacle, hindrance, or difficulty
a place or spot that has been rubbed until rough or sore
something that irritates, annoys, offends, etc., as a jeer or rebuke

See rub in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb rubbed rubbed, rub·bing, rubs

verb, transitive

To apply pressure and friction to (a surface).
To clean, polish, or manipulate by the application of pressure and friction.
To apply to a surface firmly and with friction: rub lotion on the hands; rub dye into the fabric.
To move (an object or objects) firmly along a surface, especially repeatedly: rub an eraser over the blackboard; rubbed my fingers over the sore spot.
To cause to become worn, chafed, or irritated.
To remove, erase, or expunge: rub away a stain; rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

verb, intransitive

a. To exert pressure or friction on something.
b. To wear or chafe with friction: My shoes were beginning to rub.
c. To cause irritation or annoyance.
To move along in contact with a surface; graze or scrape.
To be transferred or removed by contact or proximity: newsprint that rubbed off on my fingers; wished some of her luck would rub off on me.

noun

The act of rubbing.
The application of friction and pressure: a back rub.
A substance or preparation applied by rubbing, especially:
a. A liniment or balm.
b. A seasoning made of ground spices and herbs, applied to the surface of meat, fish, or vegetables before cooking.
An unevenness on a surface.
An act or remark that annoys or hurts another.
A difficulty or obstacle: “The rub for extraterrestrial life on Europa is that the moon's surface is an icy wasteland” (William J. Broad).

Phrasal Verbs: rub down To perform a brisk rubbing of the body, as in massage. rub in To harp on (an unpleasant matter). rub out To obliterate by or as if by rubbing. Slang To kill; murder.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English rubben

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