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1. Dictionary

   rub

   /rʌb/

   verb

   • 1. apply firm pressure to the surface of (something), using a repeated back and forth motion: "she rubbed her arm, where she had a large bruise" Similar massagekneadstrokepat
   • ▪ move (one's hand, a cloth, or another object) back and forth against a surface: "he rubbed a finger round the rim of his mug"
   • ▪ apply (ointment, polish, or a similar substance) with a back and forth motion: "she took out her sun cream and rubbed some on her nose" Similar applyput onsmearsmoothspreadwork incream in
   • ▪ make dry, clean, or smooth by rubbing: "she found a towel and began rubbing her hair"
   • ▪ work an ingredient into (a mixture) by breaking and blending it with firm movements of one's fingers: "sift the flour into a bowl and rub in the fat"
   • ▪ reproduce the design of (a sepulchral brass or a stone) by rubbing paper laid on it with coloured wax, pencil, or chalk, etc.: "he was rubbing an old brass"
   • 2. (with reference to two things) move or cause to move to and fro against each other with a certain amount of friction: "many insects make noises by rubbing parts of their bodies together"
   • ▪ (of shoes or other hard items in contact with the skin) cause pain through friction: "badly fitting shoes can rub painfully" Similar chafepinchscrapeabradehurtbe sorebe painful
   • ▪ (of a bowl) be slowed or diverted by the unevenness of the ground.

   noun

   • 1. an act of rubbing: "she pulled out a towel and gave her head a quick rub" Similar massagerub-downpolishbuffingwipeclean
   • ▪ an ointment designed to be rubbed on the skin to ease pain: "a muscle rub"
   • ▪ a mixture of spices and other seasonings that is applied to the surface of meat or fish before cooking: "he will be using coffee in a rub for a rack of lamb"
   • 2. the central problem or difficulty in a situation: "that was the rub—she had not cared enough" Similar problemdifficultytroubledrawbackhindranceobstacleobstructionimpedimentsnaghitchcatch
   • 3. (in bowling) an uneven patch of ground that impedes or diverts a bowl.

   Word Origin Middle English (as a verb): perhaps from Low German rubben, of unknown ultimate origin. The noun dates from the late 16th century.

   Scrabble Points: 5

   • R

     1

   • U

     1

   • B

     3

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › rubRub Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word rub as a verb and a noun, with synonyms, examples, and etymology. Find out how to rub elbows, rub someone the wrong way, and more.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishRUB | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

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   Learn the meaning of rub as a verb and a noun, with usage examples and common idioms. Find out how to pronounce rub and translate it in different languages.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryRUB | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

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   Learn the meaning of rub as a verb and a noun, with usage examples, synonyms, antonyms, and related words. Find out how to use rub in common expressions and idioms, such as rub someone the wrong way, rub it in, and the rub of the green.

5. www.thefreedictionary.com › rubRub - definition of rub by The Free Dictionary

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation, and examples of the verb rub and its related phrases and idioms. Find out how to rub something, someone, or oneself in different contexts and situations.

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitionrub verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation and usage of the verb rub in English. Find out how to rub something, rub against something, rub something in and more with pictures and idioms.

7. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › rubRub - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › rub

   To rub is to push firmly and repeatedly, like when you rub your sore foot. When Hamlet says, "aye, there's the rub," he's not talking about getting a massage. Rub, as a noun, is an obstacle or something in your way.

8. People also ask

   What does rub mean?

   • RUB definition: 1. to press or be pressed against something with a circular or up-and-down repeated movement: 2…. Learn more.

   RUB | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

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   What does rubbed mean?

   • rub something (+ adj.) The horse's neck was rubbed raw (= until the skin came off) where the rope had been. [transitive] to spread a liquid or other substance over a surface while pressing it rub something into/onto something She rubbed the lotion into her skin.

   rub - Oxford Learner's Dictionaries

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   What does rub mean in Hamlet?

   • To rub is to push firmly and repeatedly, like when you rub your sore foot. When Hamlet says, "aye, there's the rub," he's not talking about getting a massage. Rub, as a noun, is an obstacle or something in your way. You can rub someone's aching back or rub sunblock on your arms and legs.

   Rub - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

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   What does rubbing mean?

   • [intransitive, transitive] (of a surface) to move backward and forward many times against something while pressing it, especially causing pain or damage The back of my shoe is rubbing. rub on/against something The wheel is rubbing on the fender. rub something (+ adj.)

   rub verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford

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   What does rubbed a hand mean?

   • [transitive, intransitive] to move your hand, or something such as a cloth, backward and forward over a surface while pressing firmly rub something She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. He rubbed a hand wearily over his eyes. rub something/yourself with something Rub the surface with sandpaper before painting.

   rub verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford

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   What does 'don't rub it in' mean?

   • I suspect that "don't rub it in" is an allusion to rubbing salt into a person's wounds, to make them hurt more. Christine Ammer, The Facts on File Dictionary of Clichés, second edition (2006) confirms that the connection is likely: rub it in, to To stress something unpleasant or annoying in a teasing way; to ADD INSULT TO INJURY.

   phrases - A formal way of saying 'rub it in'. - English Language

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9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitionrub verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation and usage of the verb rub in American English. Find out how to rub something, someone or yourself, and explore common idioms and phrasal verbs with rub.