1. apply a substance such as oil or grease to (an engine or component) to minimize friction and allow smooth movement: "remove the nut and lubricate the thread"Similaroilgreasemake slipperymake smoothsmear with oilcover with oilrub with oilmoisturizewaxpolish
▪ make (a process) run smoothly: "the availability of credit lubricated the channels of trade"Similarfacilitateeasereadymake smoothsmooth the way foroil the wheels forpave the way forOppositeimpedeobstruct
▪ make (someone) convivial with alcohol:"men lubricated with alcohol speak their true feelings"
Word Originearly 17th century: from Latin lubricat- ‘made slippery’, from the verb lubricare, from lubricus ‘slippery’.
