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v. lu·bri·cat·ed, lu·bri·cat·ing, lu·bri·cates v.tr. 1. To apply a lubricant to or make slippery: She lubricated the bike chain. 2. To facilitate or make easier: tried to lubricate the relations between ambassadors. 3. To cause to feel cheerful and sociable by the consumption of alcohol: I waited until he was lubricated to tell him the news. v.intr. To act as a lubricant. [Latin lūbricāre, lūbricāt-, from lūbricus, slippery; see sleubh- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] lu′bri·cation n. lubri·ca′tive adj. |
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