Examples Word Origin
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 lubricating grease ,
oil ,
anoint ,
smear ,
make ,
lard ,
smooth ,
slick ,
wax ,
cream ,
lube ,
tallow Examples from the Web for lubricating Historical Examples of lubricating These are for lubricating oils and for the lighting of homes.
He completed and patented his first lubricating cup in 1872.
In the storehouse were two barrels of gasoline, and also some lubricating oils.
Meanwhile I began to wonder how our benzine and lubricating oil were faring.
His tones were low, now, and as oily as a lubricating life-buoy.
British Dictionary definitions for lubricating (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
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for lubricating 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
