lubricate

[ loo-bri-keyt ]

/ ˈlu brɪˌkeɪt /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR lubricate ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

verb (used without object), lu·bri·cat·ed, lu·bri·cat·ing.

to act as a lubricant.

to apply a lubricant to something.

Slang. to drink or become drunk.

Origin of lubricate

1615–25; < Latin lūbricātus, past participle of lūbricāre to make slippery. See lubric, -ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM lubricate

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] /ˈlu brɪ kəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective

non·lu·bri·cat·ing, adjective o·ver·lu·bri·cate, verb (used with object), o·ver·lu·bri·cat·ed, o·ver·lu·bri·cat·ing. o·ver·lu·bri·ca·tion, noun re·lu·bri·cate, verb (used with object), re·lu·bri·cat·ed, re·lu·bri·cat·ing. 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

Words nearby lubricate

lubitsch, lublin, lubra, lubric, lubricant, lubricate, lubricator, lubricious, lubricity, lubricous, lubritorium

Example sentences from the Web for lubricate

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

Inside London’s Hottest Celebrity Haunt—But How Long Will Chiltern Firehouse Burn? |Lizzie Crocker |June 9, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
It secretes the tears destined to lubricate the anterior surface of the eye.

Special Report on Diseases of Cattle |U.S. Department of Agriculture
We shall find plenty of room for your facility; it will lubricate our whole existence.

The Bostonians, Vol. II (of II) |Henry James
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.

Farm Engines and How to Run Them |James H. Stephenson

The indications are, to lubricate the mucous surfaces, remove morbific materials from the system, and improve the general health.

The American Reformed Cattle Doctor |George Dadd
Lubricate the two stop-cocks with resin ointment (Fig. 137).

The Elements of Bacteriological Technique |John William Henry Eyre

British Dictionary definitions for lubricate

lubricate

/ (ˈluːbrɪˌkeɪt) /

verb

(tr) to cover or treat with an oily or greasy substance so as to lessen friction

(tr) to make greasy, slippery, or smooth

(intr) to act as a lubricant

Derived forms of lubricate

lubrication, noun lubricational, adjective lubricative, adjective

Word Origin for lubricate

C17: from Latin lūbricāre, from lūbricus slippery

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

lubricate

verb (used with object), lu·bri·cat·ed, lu·bri·cat·ing.

verb (used without object), lu·bri·cat·ed, lu·bri·cat·ing.

Origin of lubricate

OTHER WORDS FROM lubricate

Words nearby lubricate

Example sentences from the Web for lubricate

British Dictionary definitions for lubricate

verb

Derived forms of lubricate

Word Origin for lubricate

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

lubricate

verb (used with object), lu·bri·cat·ed, lu·bri·cat·ing.

verb (used without object), lu·bri·cat·ed, lu·bri·cat·ing.

Origin of lubricate

OTHER WORDS FROM lubricate

Words nearby lubricate

Words related to lubricate

Example sentences from the Web for lubricate

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verb

Derived forms of lubricate

Word Origin for lubricate

British Dictionary definitions for lubricate