lubricate
Make things slippery
To lubricate is to apply a slippery substance—oil, grease, or similar—to reduce friction between moving parts: lubricate the hinges, lubricate the gears.
The meaning extends to anything that makes processes run more smoothly: Alcohol lubricated the conversation.
In medical contexts, lubricating keeps tissues moist and comfortable.
Thick oily lubricant
- oilSlippery viscous fluid
- lubeFriction-reducing substance
- bearingPosture or orientation
- gearboxEnclosed system of cogs
transmission · hydraulic · chain · engine · motor · WD-40 · viscosity · synthetic
Smooth or craftily adept
- slipperyLacking friction, hard-to-grasp
- greasyCovered in slick fat
- oilyCovered in grease
- wetSaturated with liquid
glossy · coating · film · residue · teflon · silicone · wax · polish
Lack of strain
- smoothWithout roughness or difficulty
- streamlineRemove unnecessary elements
- expediteSpeed up a process
- enableMake something feasible
assist · negotiations · transaction · bribe · kickback · facilitate · process · bureaucracy
Carry on person
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- chafingIrritation from friction
- rubbingApplying pressure while moving
- grindingMolar action sometimes
resistance · heat · seizing · galling · metal-to-metal · contact · surface · coefficient
grease
Thick oily lubricant
gearbox · transmission · hydraulic · chain · engine · motor · WD-40 · viscosity · synthetic · petroleum
slick
Smooth or craftily adept
wet · glossy · coating · film · residue · teflon · silicone · wax · polish · nonstick
ease
Lack of strain
- smoothWithout roughness or difficulty
- streamlineRemove unnecessary elements
- expediteSpeed up a process
enable · assist · negotiations · transaction · bribe · kickback · facilitate · process · bureaucracy · dealings
wear
Carry on person
grinding · resistance · heat · seizing · galling · metal-to-metal · contact · surface · coefficient · smoothness
servicing
Performing routine maintenance
- upkeepOngoing preservation effort
- tune-upRoutine vehicle maintenance
- preventiveMeant to stop trouble
overhaul · checkup · recondition · preserve · care · prolong · lifespan · routine · interval · schedule
- equipment actionsinstall, connect, disconnect, mount, attach
- social lubricantInteraction ease-maker
- personal lubricantSlick substance for intimacy
- boundary lubricationThin protective film between surfaces
- spray lubricantAerosol that loosens joints
- lubricant sprayFriction-reducing aerosol product
lubricant, lubrication, lubricants, lubricated, lubricating, lubricates, lubricator, lubrications, relubricate