rub

US /rʌb/
UK /rʌb/
"rub" picture
1.

move one's hand or a cloth repeatedly over a surface while applying pressure

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She began to rub her temples to ease the headache.
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He used a cloth to rub the dirt off his shoes.
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massagechafepolishscrubwipe
2.

cause to move with a continuous friction against a surface

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The branches rubbed against the windowpane in the wind.
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His new shoes began to rub his heels.
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chafegrateabradescrape
1.

an act of rubbing

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Give the surface a good rub to make it shine.
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A quick rub with a damp cloth will clean it.
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wipepolishscrubmassage
2.

a difficulty or problem, especially one that is hidden or not immediately obvious

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The only rub is that we don't have enough money.
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Here's the rub: we need to finish this by tomorrow.
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difficultyobstaclehindranceimpedimentsnag
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rubbingrub inrub outbrass rubbingrub shoulders withrub salt in the woundrub someone the wrong way