Definition of rub

• v. t. - To subject (a body) to the action of something moving over its surface with pressure and friction, especially to the action of something moving back and forth; as, to rub the flesh with the hand; to rub wood with sandpaper.
• v. t. - To move over the surface of (a body) with pressure and friction; to graze; to chafe; as, the boat rubs the ground.
• v. t. - To cause (a body) to move with pressure and friction along a surface; as, to rub the hand over the body.
• v. t. - To spread a substance thinly over; to smear.
• v. t. - To scour; to burnish; to polish; to brighten; to cleanse; -- often with up or over; as, to rub up silver.
• v. t. - To hinder; to cross; to thwart.
• v. i. - To move along the surface of a body with pressure; to grate; as, a wheel rubs against the gatepost.
• v. i. - To fret; to chafe; as, to rub upon a sore.
• v. i. - To move or pass with difficulty; as, to rub through woods, as huntsmen; to rub through the world.
• n. - The act of rubbing; friction.
• n. - That which rubs; that which tends to hinder or obstruct motion or progress; hindrance; obstruction, an impediment; especially, a difficulty or obstruction hard to overcome; a pinch.
• n. - Inequality of surface, as of the ground in the game of bowls; unevenness.
• n. - Something grating to the feelings; sarcasm; joke; as, a hard rub.
• n. - Imperfection; failing; fault.
• n. - A chance.
• n. - A stone, commonly flat, used to sharpen cutting tools; a whetstone; -- called also rubstone.