[rub] vb rubbed ; rub.bing [ME rubben; akin to Icel rubba to scrape] vi (14c) 1 a: to move along the surface of a body with pressure: grate b (1): to fret or chafe with or as if with friction (2): to cause discontent, irritation, or anger
2: to continue in a situation usu. with slight difficulty "in spite of financial difficulties, he is rubbing along"
3: to admit of being rubbed (as for erasure or obliteration) ~ vt 1 a: to subject to or as if to the action of something moving esp. back and forth with pressure and friction b (1): to cause (a body) to move with pressure and friction along a surface (2): to treat in any of various ways by rubbing c: to bring into reciprocal back-and-forth or rotary contact
2: annoy, irritat e -- rub elbows or rub shoulders : to associate closely: mingle -- rub one's nose in : to bring forcefully or repeatedly to one's attention -- rub the wrong way : to arouse the antagonism or displeasure of: irritate
[2]rub n (1586) 1 a: an unevenness of surface (as of the ground in lawn bowling) b: obstruction, difficulty "the ~ is that so few of the scholars have any sense of this truth themselves --Benjamin Farrington" c: something grating to the feelings (as a gibe or harsh criticism) d: something that mars serenity
2: the application of friction with pressure "an alcohol ~"