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Synonyms

rubbing

American  
[ruhb-ing] / ˈrʌb ɪŋ /

noun

  1. an act or action of a person or thing that rubs.

  2. an impression of an incised or sculptured surface made by laying paper over it and rubbing with heelball, graphite, or a similar substance until the image appears.


rubbing British  
/ ˈrʌbɪŋ /

noun

  1. an impression taken of an incised or raised surface, such as a brass plate on a tomb, by laying paper over it and rubbing with wax, graphite, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of rubbing

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; rub, -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In general, earthquakes are caused by the tectonic plates that make up the earth moving and rubbing together.

From BBC

It's not the kind of kimchi my family would have made, but the process - rubbing paste into each leaf, waiting for the tang to deepen - connects back to kitchens thousands of miles away.

From BBC

I looked down and I was rubbing my arm without realizing it, like I was cold.

From Literature

Hilda Hammond, whose 14-year-old son, Philip, died in the tragedy described her frustration over the lack of action taken against "certain police officers", adding the report was "like rubbing salt in a very old wound".

From BBC

The decline in standards and basic levels of performance since last season has had seasoned Anfield observers rubbing their eyes in disbelief at what they are witnessing.

From BBC