First Known Use: circa 1623
Dictionary
lubricate
verb lu·bri·cate \ˈlü-brə-ˌkāt\
: to make (something) smooth or slippery : to apply a lubricant to (something, such as a machine or a part of a machine)
lu·bri·cat·edlu·bri·cat·ing
Full Definition of LUBRICATE
transitive verb
1
: to make smooth or slippery
2
: to apply a lubricant to
intransitive verb
: to act as a lubricant
— lu·bri·ca·tion \ˌlü-brə-ˈkā-shən\ noun
— lu·bri·ca·tive \ˈlü-brə-ˌkā-tiv\ adjective
— lu·bri·ca·tor \-ˌkā-tər\ noun
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Origin of LUBRICATE
Latin lubricatus, past participle of lubricare, from lubricus slippery — more at sleeve
Rhymes with LUBRICATE
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LUBRICATED Defined for Kids
lubricate
verb lu·bri·cate \ˈlü-brə-ˌkāt\
lu·bri·cat·edlu·bri·cat·ing
Definition of LUBRICATE for Kids
: : to apply oil or grease to in order to make smooth or slippery <Mechanics lubricated the gears.>
Medical Dictionary
lubricate
transitive verb lu·bri·cate \ˈlü-bri-ˌkāt\
lu·bri·cat·edlu·bri·cat·ing
Medical Definition of LUBRICATE
: to make smooth, slippery, or oily in motion, action, or appearance <lubricate the eye> <lubricate the skin>
—lu·bri·ca·tion \ˌlü-brə-ˈkā-shən\ noun
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