Sekirov Dictionary

rub up

verb 8
rub-up noun 5
forms 5

verb8

•
To polish or scrub; to cover (something with a substance) by rubbing.
- I rubbed up the brass buttons on my jacket to make them shine.
- The pitcher rubs up the new baseball with dirt to get a better grip.
•
To rub on someone or something.
- The cat rubbed up on my legs.
•
To rub (a body part): to massage, give a massage to.
- […] every Morning when you Comb your head, dip a sponge in this water and rub up your Hair, and it will keep it clean and preserve it, — 1674
•
To create (something) by rubbing.
- The new shoe rubbed up a blister on the back of his foot.
•
(informal, old-fashioned) To revive one's knowledge of (something); to renew (a skill).
- I must rub up my balancing, and chasing, and boring. — 1775
•
(US, slang) To assault (someone).
- There was a lot of yelling and gesticulating, and a few blows were passed. A couple of guards got rubbed up a little. — 1952
•
(no longer used) To excite or awaken (something); to revive or reawaken (something).
- to rub up the memory; to rub up old sores
•
(no longer used) To reduce (something) to a powder or paste using friction (with a mortar and pestle, for example); to mix (with something) using friction.
- to rub up pigments with water or oil

rub-up noun5

•
The action of rubbing, for example polishing or massaging.
- […] Ben laid them [the knives and forks] side by side, counted them, and finding the number agree with his guests, said, “They’ll dow capital when they’ve had a bit of a rub up.” — 1841
The act of bringing old information to the front of one's memory.
(Caribbean) A party, especially one that is spontaneous and involves music and dancing.
(slang, no longer used) The act of masturbating.
•
(no longer used) An encounter (with someone).
- Altogether, it has been a most enjoyable trip to me. As much or as little company as I chose, and a rub up against a number of old acquaintances of all sorts. — 1889

forms

rubbed up · rubbing up · rubs up · rub ups · rub-ups

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