RUBBING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does rubbing mean? 

• RUBBING (noun)
  The noun RUBBING has 3 senses:

1. the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another

2. representation consisting of a copy (as of an engraving) made by laying paper over something and rubbing it with charcoal

3. effort expended in moving one object over another with pressure

  Familiarity information: RUBBING used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RUBBING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural phenomena

Synonyms:

friction; rubbing

Hypernyms ("rubbing" is a kind of...):

resistance (any mechanical force that tends to retard or oppose motion)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rubbing"):

abrasion; attrition; detrition; grinding (the wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice)

adhesive friction; grip; traction (the friction between a body and the surface on which it moves (as between an automobile tire and the road))

Derivation:

rub (cause friction)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Representation consisting of a copy (as of an engraving) made by laying paper over something and rubbing it with charcoal

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("rubbing" is a kind of...):

representation (a creation that is a visual or tangible rendering of someone or something)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Effort expended in moving one object over another with pressure

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

detrition; friction; rubbing

Hypernyms ("rubbing" is a kind of...):

effort; elbow grease; exertion; sweat; travail (use of physical or mental energy; hard work)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rubbing"):

attrition (the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction)

Derivation:

rub (move over something with pressure)

 Context examples 

“They have laid the supper, then,” he said, rubbing his hands.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But while he pounded the one hand, he never ceased from rubbing his nose and cheeks with the other.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

“My dear Copperfield,” said Traddles, lifting off his hat, and rubbing his hair all kinds of ways, “nothing would give me greater pleasure. But it won't.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

It can be caused by rubbing, heat, or diseases of the skin.

(Blister, NCI Dictionary)

It can be caused by taking certain drugs, or rubbing certain essential oils (scented liquid taken from plants) or other topical agents into the skin.

(Phototoxicity, NCI Dictionary)

Over time, this rubbing can permanently damage the joint.

(Osteoarthritis, NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)

Skin findings arising from repeated rubbing, picking or scratching of a real or imagined irritation of the skin.

(Neurodermatitis, NCI Thesaurus)

It also protects bones by preventing them from rubbing against each other.

(Cartilage Disorders, NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)

But Wolf Larsen had turned away with a snort of disgust, leaving the sailor rubbing his eyes with surprise at having been let of so easily.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

"Well, what do you think of that?" cried the Professor, rubbing his hands with an air of triumph.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)