Examples Word Origin
See more 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. Show More
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. Show More
Origin of lubricate 1615–25; <
Latin lūbricātus, past participle of
lūbricāre to make slippery. See
lubric ,
-ate1 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] /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 Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for lubricate grease ,
oil ,
anoint ,
smear ,
make ,
lard ,
smooth ,
slick ,
wax ,
cream ,
lube ,
tallow Examples from the Web for lubricate Contemporary Examples of lubricate Historical Examples of lubricate It will be proper to lubricate the knife with kerosene after the first mark is made.
Lubricate the two stop-cocks with resin ointment (Fig. 137).
The next operation after moulding the bullets is to lubricate them.
In medicine, substances which are calculated to soften and lubricate the parts to which they are applied.
With silon covering to lubricate the cut, there's nothing to it.
British Dictionary definitions for lubricate (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 Show More
Derived Forms lubrication , noun lubricational , adjective lubricative , adjective Word Origin for lubricate C17: from Latin lūbricāre, from lūbricus slippery
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for lubricate v. 1620s, "to make slippery or smooth" (especially by the application of an oil), from Latin lubricatus , past participle of lubricare "to make slippery or smooth," from lubricus "slippery" (see lubricant (adj.)). Related: Lubricated ; lubricating . Earlier verb was lubrify (1610s), from Medieval Latin lubrificare .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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