lubricating
Making things slippery
Lubricating means applying a slippery substance to reduce friction between moving parts: lubricating the hinges, lubricating the engine.
The term extends to anything that makes processes run more smoothly: lubricating social interactions with small talk, lubricating a deal with cash.
Alcohol is sometimes called a social lubricant for loosening inhibitions.
Slippery viscous fluid
- greaseThick oily lubricant
- gearsToothed rotating machine parts
- bearingsAwareness of one's position
- engineMachine producing motion
hydraulics · transmission · axle · piston · sprocket · chain · conveyor · crankshaft
Move with effortless continuity
- slickSmooth or craftily adept
- slipperyLacking friction, hard-to-grasp
- frictionlessHaving no resistance
- sleekSmooth and elegant
effortless · seamless · fluid · flowing · silky · gliding · sliding · coasting
Fluid's flow resistance
- syntheticProduced artificially, not natural
- petroleumNatural underground hydrocarbon liquid
- mineralNaturally formed crystalline solid
- siliconeFlexible synthetic polymer
graphite · molybdenum · additive · film · coating · penetrating · biodegradable · water-resistant
Wet slightly or diminish
- hydrateInfuse with water
- wetSaturated with liquid
- mistFine airborne moisture
- emollientSubstance that softens skin
salve · balm · ointment · gel · lotion · glycerin · lanolin · eye-drops
Performing routine maintenance
- upkeepOngoing preservation effort
- tune-upRoutine vehicle maintenance
- replenishmentRestoring depleted supply
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
preventive · greasing · conditioning · routine · checkup · filter · dipstick · drain
oil
Slippery viscous fluid
engine · hydraulics · transmission · axle · piston · sprocket · chain · conveyor · crankshaft · camshaft
glide
Move with effortless continuity
- slickSmooth or craftily adept
- slipperyLacking friction, hard-to-grasp
- frictionlessHaving no resistance
sleek · effortless · seamless · fluid · flowing · silky · gliding · sliding · coasting · easing
viscosity
Fluid's flow resistance
- syntheticProduced artificially, not natural
- petroleumNatural underground hydrocarbon liquid
- mineralNaturally formed crystalline solid
silicone · graphite · molybdenum · additive · film · coating · penetrating · biodegradable · water-resistant · high-temperature
dampen
Wet slightly or diminish
emollient · salve · balm · ointment · gel · lotion · glycerin · lanolin · eye-drops
servicing
Performing routine maintenance
- upkeepOngoing preservation effort
- tune-upRoutine vehicle maintenance
- replenishmentRestoring depleted supply
inspection · preventive · greasing · conditioning · routine · checkup · filter · dipstick · drain · flush
wear
Carry on person
- overheatingBecoming dangerously warm
- corrosionChemical wearing away
- abrasionShallow surface wound
resistance · seizure · galling · scuffing · binding · jamming · sticking · heat · drag · grinding
- Gear Maintenancecleaning, drying, storage, waterproofing, conditioning
- softeningmellowing, moistening, tenderizing, cushioning, relaxing
- Pharmaceuticscapsules, tablets, tableting, coatings, controlled release
- glazingglaze, glazier, double glazing, reglazing, triple glazing
- repairsrepair, fixing, mending, patching, repairing
- tinkeringfiddling, puttering, pottering, tweaking, dabbling
lubricatingabrading
Eroding by friction
grinding · chafing · scraping · roughening · grating
lubricatingobstructing
Blocking forward movement
impeding · hindering · complicating · blocking · jamming
- boundary lubricationThin protective film between surfaces