To make smooth or slippery; as, mucilaginous and saponaceous remedies lubricate the parts to which they are applied. S. Sharp. [1913 Webster]
"Supples, lubricates, and keeps in play,
The various movements of this nice machine." [1913 Webster]
To apply a lubricant to, as oil or tallow. [1913 Webster]
To reduce social frictions or difficulties between people, thus making cooperation easier and joint action smoother. [PJC]
To inebriate by supplying with alcoholic beverages. [PJC]

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

lubricate, v.tr.
1 reduce friction in (machinery etc.) by applying oil or grease etc.
2 make slippery or smooth with oil or grease.

Derivative

lubrication n. lubricative adj. lubricator n.

Etymology

L lubricare lubricat- f. lubricus slippery

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THESAURUS

lubricate

aid, anoint, beeswax, buy, buy off, clear the way, dab, daub, drag, dress, dub, ease, embrocate, equalize, even, expedite, explain, facilitate, fix, flatten, glycerolate, grade, grease, grease the ways, grease the wheels, harrow, hasten, have, help along, lard, lay, level, loose, make clear, make way for, mow, oil, open the way, open up, pave the way, plane, planish, plaster, pomade, prepare the way, quicken, remove friction, run interference for, salve, shave, simplify, slick, slick on, smear, smooth, smooth down, smooth out, smooth the way, soap the ways, sop, speed, square, tamper with, unbar, unblock, unclog, unguent, unjam, wax

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ROGET THESAURUS

lubricate

Facility

VB be easy, go on smoothly, run smoothly, have full play, go on all fours, run on all fours, obey the helm, work well, flow with the stream, swim with the stream, drift with the stream, go with the stream, flow with the tide, drift with the tide, see one's way, have all one's own way, have the game in one's own hands, walk over the course, win at a canter, make light of, make nothing of, make no bones of, be at home in, make it look easy, do it with one's eyes closed, do it in one's sleep, render easy, facilitate, smooth, ease, popularize, lighten, lighten the labor, free, clear, disencumber, disembarrass, disentangle, disengage, deobstruct, unclog, extricate, unravel, untie the knot, cut the knot, disburden, unload, exonerate, emancipate, free from, deoppilate, humor, lubricate, relieve, leave a hole to creep out of, leave a loophole, leave the matter open, give the reins to, give full play, give full swing, make way for, open the door to, open the way, prepare the ground, smooth the ground, clear the ground, open the way, open the path, open the road, pave the way, bridge over, permit.

Smoothness

VB smooth, smoothen, plane, file, mow, shave, level, roll, macadamize, polish, burnish, calender, glaze, iron, hot-press, mangle, lubricate.

Lubrication

VB lubricate, lubricitate, oil, grease, lather, soap, wax.

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