rub

rub
rub (v.) late 14c., perhaps related to E.Fris. rubben "to scratch, rub," and Low Ger. rubbeling "rough, uneven," or similar words in Scandinavian (Cf. Dan. rubbe "to rub, scrub," Norw. rubba), of uncertain origin. Related: Rubbed; rubbing.
Hamlet's there's the rub (1602) preserves a noun sense of "obstacle, inequality on ground" first recorded 1580s and common in 17c. To rub (someone) the wrong way is from 1853, probably the notion is of cats. To rub noses in greeting as a sign of friendship (attested from 1822) formerly was common among Eskimos, Maoris, and some other Pacific Islanders. Rub out "obliterate" is from 1560s; underworld slang sense of "kill" is recorded from 1848, Amer.Eng. Rub off "have an influence on" is recorded from 1959.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • rub — ► VERB (rubbed, rubbing) 1) apply firm pressure to (a surface) with a repeated back and forth motion. 2) move to and fro against a surface while pressing or grinding against it. 3) apply with a rubbing action. 4) (rub down) dry, smooth, or clean… …   English terms dictionary

  • Rub — Rub, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Rubbed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Rubbing}.] [Probably of Celtic origin; cf. W. rhwbiaw, gael. rub.] 1. To subject (a body) to the action of something moving over its surface with pressure and friction, especially to the action… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • rub — rub; rub·bage; rub·ber·ize; rub·ber·man; rub·bery; rub·bidge; rub·bish·ing; rub·bish·ly; rub·bishy; rub·ble·man; rub·bly; rub·eryth·ric; rub·eryth·rin·ic; rub·ber; rub·bish; rub·ble; mar·rub; rub·ber·neck·er; …   English syllables

  • rub — /rub/, v., rubbed, rubbing, n. v.t. 1. to subject the surface of (a thing or person) to pressure and friction, as in cleaning, smoothing, polishing, coating, massaging, or soothing: to rub a table top with wax polish; to rub the entire back area …   Universalium

  • rub — [rub] vt. rubbed, rubbing [ME rubben, akin to Dan rubbe, EFris rubben < IE * reup , to tear out < base * reu , to dig, tear out > ROB, RIP1, RUG, RUBBLE, L rumpere, to break] 1. to move one s hand, a cloth, etc. over (a surface …   English World dictionary

  • Rub — Rub, n. [Cf. W. rhwb. See Rub, v,t,] 1. The act of rubbing; friction. [1913 Webster] 2. That which rubs; that which tends to hinder or obstruct motion or progress; hindrance; obstruction, an impediment; especially, a difficulty or obstruction… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Rub — Rub, v. i. 1. To move along the surface of a body with pressure; to grate; as, a wheel rubs against the gatepost. [1913 Webster] 2. To fret; to chafe; as, to rub upon a sore. [1913 Webster] 3. To move or pass with difficulty; as, to rub through… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Rub — may stand for* RUB, Russian ruble currency code * Ruhr Universität BochumRub may refer to: * the Kuliak languages of Uganda * Spice rub, consisting of spices blended together to season and flavor raw pork, beef, chicken, fish, and wild game… …   Wikipedia

  • Rüb — oder Rueb ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Alexander Rueb (1882–1959), niederländischer Schachfunktionär, erster Präsident des Weltschachbundes FIDE Friedbert W. Rüb (* 1953), deutscher Politikwissenschaftler Fritz Rueb (* 1925),… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • rub — rȗb m <N mn rȕbovi> DEFINICIJA krajnji dio neke površine, ono čime ona završava, što je obrubljuje [pun do ruba; na rubu ponora; rub haljine]; kraj FRAZEOLOGIJA (biti) na rubu (čijeg) interesa donekle pobuđivati čiji interes, biti vrijedan… …   Hrvatski jezični portal

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