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lubricate

Syllabification: (lu·bri·cate)
Pronunciation: /ˈlo͞obrəˌkāt/
Translate lubricate | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of lubricate

verb

[with object]
  • apply a substance such as oil or grease to (an engine or component) to minimize friction and allow smooth movement:remove the nut and lubricate the thread (as adjective lubricating)lubricating oils
  • make (a process) run smoothly:the availability of credit lubricated the channels of trade
  • informal make (someone) convivial, especially with alcohol:men lubricated with alcohol speak their true feelings

Derivatives

lubrication

Pronunciation: /ˌlo͞obrəˈkāSHən/
noun

lubricator

Pronunciation: /-ˌkātər/
noun

Origin:

early 17th century: from Latin lubricat- 'made slippery', from the verb lubricare, from lubricus 'slippery'

lubricate in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of lubricate in the British & World English dictionary

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