-ˌkāt, usu ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin lubricatus, past participle of lubricare
transitive verb
1. : to make smooth, slippery, or oily in motion, action, or appearance
this small amount of chemical lubricates the wax crystals — Desmond Reilly
in drilling an oil well, mud is used to lubricate the cutting bit — Westinghouse News
2. : to apply a lubricant to : treat with a lubricant
lubricate the bearings
lubricate the economic system with a sufficiency of purchasing power — Hugh Dalton
lubricate the skin with cold cream
3. slang : to ply with drink
lubricated them with continuous champagne — Horace Sutton
4. slang : bribe
lubricated a dishonest official
intransitive verb
1. : to act as a lubricant
oil lubricates efficiently most of the time
2. slang : to drink or get drunk
the lubricating kept right on, not so badly, but more than anyone could carry — Ethel Merman