lubricate

/'lu:brikeit/

Thân thiện

He lubricates the squeaky hinge with a few drops of oil.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make a surface smooth or slippery by applying a substance (a lubricant) to reduce friction.
   • To apply a lubricant (such as oil or grease) to machinery or moving parts.
   • (Figuratively) To make something operate more smoothly or easily.

Usage and Examples

• Literal Usage (Applying a Lubricant):
  • You should lubricate the bicycle chain regularly to keep it running quietly.
  • The mechanic lubricated the engine's moving parts.
• Literal Usage (Having Lubricating Properties):
  • This oil lubricates effectively even at high temperatures.
• Figurative Usage:
  • A good host tries to lubricate the conversation at a party. (Meaning: to make it flow more easily)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Technical/Mechanical Context: The term is most precise in engineering and maintenance contexts, referring to the essential process of applying grease, oil, or other substances to minimize wear.
• Informal/Figurative Context for Social Situations: Used metaphorically to describe facilitating social interactions or processes, often involving alcohol or agreeable conversation.
  • A few drinks helped to lubricate the business negotiations.

Variants and Related Words

• Lubricant (n): A substance used to reduce friction.
  • Engine oil is a common lubricant.
• Lubrication (n): The action or process of lubricating.
  • Proper lubrication extends the life of the machine.
• Lubricious (adj): Slippery or smooth; (archaic) lewd. (Note: This is a more formal/literary term and is not commonly used in everyday technical contexts for "slippery").

Synonyms

• Grease (v): To apply grease to.
• Oil (v): To apply oil to.
• Facilitate (v): To make easier (figurative synonym).

Related Phrasal Verbs/Compounds

(The base verb "lubricate" does not commonly form standard phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically expressed directly or through related nouns.) - Lubricating oil: A type of oil specifically designed for lubrication.

Idioms and Fixed Expressions

• To be lubricated (Informal/Slang): To be mildly intoxicated by alcohol.
  • After two glasses of wine, he was pleasantly lubricated.
  • Note: This idiom directly uses the past participle form of the target word to describe a state, drawing a figurative link between alcohol "smoothing" social interaction and oil smoothing mechanical operation.

Học thuật

Verb

1. make slippery or smooth through the application of a lubricant
   • lubricate the key
2. apply a lubricant to
   • lubricate my car
3. have lubricating properties
   • the liquid in this can lubricates well

Từ đồng nghĩa

• lube