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lubricate

 - 4 dictionary results

lu⋅bri⋅cate

  [loo-bri-keyt] verb, -cat⋅ed, -cat⋅ing.
–verb (used with object)
1. to apply some oily or greasy substance to (a machine, parts of a mechanism, etc.) in order to diminish friction; oil or grease (something).
2. to make slippery or smooth; apply a lubricant to: to lubricate one's hands with a lotion.
3. to smooth over, as a difficulty or human relationship; ease: to lubricate the friction between enemies.
4. Slang. to provide with intoxicating drinks.
5. Slang. to bribe.
–verb (used without object)
6. to act as a lubricant.
7. to apply a lubricant to something.
8. Slang. to drink or become drunk.
Use lubricate in a Sentence
Origin:
1615–25; < L lūbricātus, ptp. of lūbricāre to make slippery. See lubric, -ate 1

Related forms:
lu⋅bri⋅ca⋅tion, noun
lu⋅bri⋅ca⋅tion⋅al, adjective
lu⋅bri⋅ca⋅tive, adjective
lu⋅bri⋅ca⋅to⋅ry  [loo-bri-kuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To lubricate
lu·bri·cate   (lōō'brĭ-kāt')   
v.   lu·bri·cat·ed, lu·bri·cat·ing, lu·bri·cates

v.   tr.

  1. To apply a lubricant to.

  2. To make slippery or smooth.

v.   intr.
To act as a lubricant.

[Latin lūbricāre, lūbricāt-, from lūbricus, slippery; see sleubh- in Indo-European roots.]
lu'bri·ca'tion n., lu'bri·ca'tive adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

lubricate 
1623, from L. lubricatus, pp. of lubricare "to make slippery or smooth," from lubricus "slippery." Colloquial shortening lube is attested from 1934.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: lu·bri·cate
Pronunciation: 'lü-bri-"kAt
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -cat·ed; -cat·ing
: to make smooth, slippery, or oily in motion, action, or appearance <lubricate the eye> <lubricate the skin> —lu·bri·ca·tion /"lü-br&-'kA-sh&n/ noun
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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