lubricant

[loo-bri-kuh nt] /ˈlu brɪ kənt/
noun
1.
a substance, as oil or grease, for lessening friction, especially in the working parts of a mechanism.
adjective
2.
capable of lubricating; used to lubricate.
Origin
1815-25; < Latin lūbricant- (stem of lūbricāns), present participle of lūbricāre to make slippery. See lubric, -ant
Related forms
nonlubricant, noun
unlubricant, adjective
Examples from the web for lubricant
  • Water is the lubricant, the grease that makes biochemistry possible.
  • Trust is the essential lubricant of commercial activity.
  • The former is a necessary lubricant in any engine of economic growth.
  • The lubricant mixes with neither water nor oils, and it barely evaporates.
  • The oil serves as a lubricant for any debris that sticks to the shell.
  • But in this case, oil could be the lubricant that keeps the peace process going.
  • Its giant bunches of red fruits are rich in oil that proved useful in soap and later as a lubricant for steam engines.
  • Hotels around the world are betting that books are the social lubricant of the future.
  • It is an essential lubricant to meals of this nature.
British Dictionary definitions for lubricant

lubricant

/ˈluːbrɪkənt/
noun
1.
a lubricating substance, such as oil
adjective
2.
serving to lubricate
Word Origin
C19: from Latin lūbricāns, present participle of lūbricāre. See lubricate
Word Origin and History for lubricant
n.

1828, probably from lubricant (adj.), or from Latin lubricantem.

adj.

"reducing friction," 1809, from Latin lubricantem (nominative lubricans), present participle of lubricare "to make slippery or smooth," from lubricus "slippery; easily moved, sliding, gliding;" figuratively "uncertain, hazardous, dangerous; seductive," from PIE *sleubh- "to slip, slide" (see sleeve).