/ griːs; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun [ U ]
1.
any thick oily substance, especially one that is used to make machines run smoothly :
Grease marks can be removed with liquid detergent.
Her hands were covered with oil and grease.
the grease in his hair
—see also elbow grease
2.
animal fat that has been made softer by cooking or heating :
plates covered with grease
■ verb
[ vn ] to rub grease or fat on sth :
to grease a cake tin / pan
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IDIOMS
- grease sb's palm
- grease the wheels
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French graisse , based on Latin crassus thick, fat.