# rubbing

Pronunciation: say "RUB-ing" /ˈɹʌbɪŋ/

## Verb

1. Present participle and gerund of rub. — present participle and gerund of rub
   - Simple: Present participle and gerund of rub. Use it for an action happening now, or as the name of the action.
   - _Rubbing the lamp gently, the boy waited for something to happen._
   - _The cat was rubbing against the door, asking to be let out._

## Noun

2. A copy of an embossed or carved surface, made by laying paper over it and rubbing across it with graphite, crayon, or another coloring agent.
   - Simple: A copy of a raised or carved design, made by laying paper on it and coloring over the top.
   - _He pinned paper over the carved plaque and took a careful rubbing of the lettering._
   - _Collectors trade rubbings taken from ancient temple carvings._

## Origin

**Meaning 2** — From Middle English rubbinge or rubbynge, equivalent to "rub" plus the suffix "-ing".
**Meaning 1** — Formed from "rub" plus the suffix "-ing".

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/rubbing (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).