Library / English Dictionary

LUBRICATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make slippery or smooth through the application of a lubricant

Example:

lubricate the key

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "lubricate" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

lubricant (a substance capable of reducing friction by making surfaces smooth or slippery)

lubrication (an application of a lubricant to something)

lubrication (the condition of having been made smooth or slippery by the application of a lubricant)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Apply a lubricant to

Example:

lubricate my car

Synonyms:

lube; lubricate

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "lubricate" is one way to...):

fill; fill up; make full (make full, also in a metaphorical sense)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something with something

Derivation:

lubricant (a substance capable of reducing friction by making surfaces smooth or slippery)

lubrication (an application of a lubricant to something)

lubrication (the condition of having been made smooth or slippery by the application of a lubricant)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Have lubricating properties

Example:

the liquid in this can lubricates well

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Hypernyms (to "lubricate" is one way to...):

be (have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun))

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

lubricant (a substance capable of reducing friction by making surfaces smooth or slippery)

lubrication (the condition of having been made smooth or slippery by the application of a lubricant)

lubricator (a substance capable of reducing friction by making surfaces smooth or slippery)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene is primarily found in gasoline exhaust, cigarette smoke, coal tar, coal and oil combustion emissions, lubricating oils, used motor oils and crude oils.

(Benzo[k]fluoranthene, NCI Thesaurus)