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What is "to rub out"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
To rub out

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 out".

The wet toweling was wrung out hard and spread in the sun to dry wherever there was room, while each piece of silk was hung on a horizontal pole, slung in the shade of a rough canvas pavilion erected at the edge of the square, and smoothed by hand to rub out wrinkles.

All the maniacs in the big American cars were maniacal because of their native stupidity, not because they wanted to rub out one David Goldfarb.

It would take hours to rub out the flaws, and he would be better exchanging it quietly for another from the stores.

And he'd probably intended to rub out Gorppet and whatever pals the Lizard had along, too.

If we have to rub out Duncan in a hurry we have a scapegoat conveniently at hand.