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The Collaborative International Dictionary
To rub down

Rub \Rub\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rubbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Rubbing.] [Probably of Celtic origin; cf. W. rhwbiaw, gael. rub.]

  1. 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.

    It shall be expedient, after that body is cleaned, to rub the body with a coarse linen cloth.
    --Sir T. Elyot.

  2. To move over the surface of (a body) with pressure and friction; to graze; to chafe; as, the boat rubs the ground.

  3. To cause (a body) to move with pressure and friction along a surface; as, to rub the hand over the body.

    Two bones rubbed hard against one another.
    --Arbuthnot.

  4. To spread a substance thinly over; to smear.

    The smoothed plank, . . . New rubbed with balm.
    --Milton.

  5. To scour; to burnish; to polish; to brighten; to cleanse; -- often with up or over; as, to rub up silver.

    The whole business of our redemption is to rub over the defaced copy of the creation.
    --South.

  6. To hinder; to cross; to thwart. [R.] 'T is the duke's pleasure, Whose disposition, all the world well knows, Will not be rubbed nor stopped. --Shak. To rub down.

    1. To clean by rubbing; to comb or curry; as, to down a horse.

    2. To reduce or remove by rubbing; as, to rub down the rough points. To rub off, to clean anything by rubbing; to separate by friction; as, to rub off rust. To rub out, to remove or separate by friction; to erase; to obliterate; as, to rub out a mark or letter; to rub out a stain. To rub up.

      1. To burnish; to polish; to clean.

      2. To excite; to awaken; to rouse to action; as, to rub up the memory.

Usage examples of "to rub down".

She looked down, trying to hide the tears she couldn't hold back, then turned around and began to rub down Whinney, unable to look at Jondalar.