rubs

1. 1
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present of rub.

   He rubs his tired eyes and reaches for another cup of coffee.

   The mechanic rubs grease off her hands with a cloth.

   Note

   The ordinary -s form of a verb that works in two directions. Used transitively, someone rubs something (she rubs her eyes). Used intransitively, one thing rubs against another (the strap rubs against his shoulder). In the polishing sense it often takes up or over, as in he rubs up the old brass. It can also mean to cross or thwart someone.

   The new strap rubs against his shoulder with every step.

   Every Sunday she rubs up the brass candlesticks until they shine.

2. 2
   noun

   Plural of rub.

   The masseuse worked the knot loose with several firm rubs.

   Polishing the old brass took dozens of patient rubs with a rag.

   Note

   A plural that gathers very different nouns under one spelling. It can mean several acts of rubbing, but also the spice mixtures cooks pat onto meat before barbecuing, the obstacles that knock a bowl off course in crown green bowls, and, in archaic use, sarcastic quips. The same letters spell the present-tense verb. A determiner (the rubs, three rubs) marks the noun, and a subject (she rubs) marks the verb.

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