Webster's English Dictionary

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rub

1. rub \'r*b\ vb or rubbed;  or rub.bing [ME rubben; akin to Icel rubba to 
   scrape] 1a: to move along the surface of a body with pressure : GRATE  1b1: 
   to fret or chafe with friction  1b2: to cause discontent, irritation, or 
   anger  2: to admit of being rubbed (as for erasure or obliteration)  1a: to 
   subject to the action of something moving esp. back and forth with  
   pressure and friction 1b1: to cause (a body) to move with pressure and 
   friction along a surface  1b2: to treat in any of various ways by rubbing  
   1c: to bring into reciprocal back and forth or rotary contact  2: ANNOY, 
   IRRITATE 
2. rub n 1a: an unevenness of surface (as of the ground in lawn bowling)  
   1b: OBSTRUCTION, DIFFICULTY  1c: something grating to the feelings (as a 
   gibe, sarcasm, or harsh critici sm) 1d: something that mars or upsets 
   serenity  2: the application of friction with pressure : RUBBING