To apply pressure with motion to the surface of; apply friction to by chafing or fretting with something else: as, to rub the face with a towel; to rub one hand with the other.To smooth, polish, clean, or coat by means of friction or frictional applications: as, to rub brasses or silver; to rub a floor; to rub furniture.To treat, act upon, or remove by frictional pressure; act with or upon by friction: with out, off, in, etc.: as, to rub out marks, spots, or stains; to rub off rust; to rub in a liniment; to rub up an ointment in a mortar.To take an impression of by friction; apply frictional pressure to, as an engraved or sculptured figure or inscription, for the purpose of copying. See rubbing, 2.Figuratively, to affect in any way as if by frictional contact or pressure; furbish; fret: as, to rub (usually rub up) one's memory; to rub one the wrong way. See phrases below.To cause to move over another body with friction: as, to rub one's hand over a mirror.To reduce or bring to smaller dimensions by friction; smooth or render less prominent by rubbing.To spread by rubbing; diffuse over a surface with a rubbing instrument: as, to rub out paint.To blend or otherwise prepare by trituration: as, to rub up an ointment.To awaken or excite by effort; rouse; freshen: as, to rub up the memory.To move or act with friction; exert frictional pressure in moving: as, to rub against or along something.Figuratively, to proceed with friction or collision; do anything with more or less effort or difficulty: commonly with on, along, through, etc.In the old game of bowls, to touch or graze the jack or another ball with the bowl or played ball.n. An act or the action of rubbing; an application or occurrence of frictional contact: as, to take a rub with a towel; to give something a rub.n. A metaphorical rubbing or chafing; an irritating or disturbing act or expression; interference; affront; sarcasm, gibe, or the like.n. That which opposes or checks, as if from friction; any chafing or disturbing circumstance or predicament; an impediment, embarrassment, or stumbling-block; a pinch.n. An unevenness of surface or character; a roughness or inequality; an imperfection; a flaw; a fault.n. Inequality of the ground in a bowlinggreen.n. In card-playing, same as rubber, 6.n. A rubstone.In needle-making, to straighten (a wire or needle) by rolling (it) while hot.—