View synonyms for lubricate

lubricate

[ loo-bri-keyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

, lu·bri·cat·ed, lu·bri·cat·ing.

to apply some oily or greasy substance to (a machine, parts of a mechanism, etc.) in order to diminish friction; oil or grease (something).
to make slippery or smooth; apply a lubricant to:
to lubricate one's hands with a lotion.
to smooth over, as a difficulty or human relationship; ease:
to lubricate the friction between enemies.
Slang. to provide with intoxicating drinks.
Slang. to bribe.

, lu·bri·cat·ed, lu·bri·cat·ing.

lubricate

/ ˈluːbrɪˌkeɪt /

lubri·cation noun
lubri·cation·al adjective
lubri·cative adjective
lu·bri·ca·to·ry [loo, -bri-k, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
non·lubri·cating adjective
over·lubri·cate verb (used with object) overlubricated overlubricating
over·lubri·cation noun
re·lubri·cate verb (used with object) relubricated relubricating
relu·bri·cation noun
self-lubri·cated adjective
self-lubri·cating adjective
self-lubri·cation noun
un·lubri·cated adjective
un·lubri·cating adjective
un·lubri·cative adjective

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin lūbricātus, past participle of lūbricāre “to make slippery.” See lubric, -ate ¹

C17: from Latin lūbricāre, from lūbricus slippery

Beauty, fame, It Girl status, and old money (never new) all lubricate the entry process.

This oil was used to lubricate the anemometer and other instruments exposed outside.

Lubricate the embossed cams in the cam housing with a thin film of vaseline every fifty hours of actual running.

Lubricate the stopper and insert it in the mouth of the jar, with the handle in a line with the two side tubes.

When the pressure on the pin or any bearing is over 800 pounds per square inch, oil is no longer able to lubricate it properly.

The next operation after moulding the bullets is to lubricate them.

Browse