(a) To apply friction on a surface, rub; sharpen a tool by filing or scrubbing; ~ on the rote of the red galle, touch on a sore spot; (b) of a boat: to rub against the bank; of an animal: rub against something; -- also refl.; rub (its flesh against sth.); (c) ?to rub flax or wool between the hands for spinning.

(a) To rub (the cheeks, face); massage (sb., one's body, etc.); rub (a surface, the body, etc. with sth.); -- also without obj.; (b) med. to massage (bodily extremities, swelling, etc.); rub (sb., oneself, a wound, the head, skin, etc. with a medicinal preparation or agent); (c)refl. to smear oneself with something by rubbing; ~ on, smear (sth.) on (a part of the body); (d) to clean (an animal) by rubbing or brushing (with sth.); scour (a vessel); also, rub out (writing), erase; (e) fig. of tears of contrition: ?to cleanse (the soul).

(a) To scratch, claw; scratch oneself to relieve itching; -- also refl.; scratch (one's ears) in shame; (b) to scrape off (rust); ~ awei (of), scrape off (sth.); also, fig. remove (sins, offenses), file away; ~ oute; (c) ?to grate (a stone on another), grind.

To stroke (sb.), caress; also, stroke (an animal on the back).

Ppl. rubbed, of a sponge: ?wrung, pressed.

In phrase: ~ on, to carry on with difficulty.