it's not a good idea to use olive oil to lubricate the gears in an appliance
Recent Examples on the WebIn the 1800s, alligator skin was used for shoes and horse saddles, and the oil from the animals helped lubricate machinery, according to the Bureau of Seafood and Aquaculture Marketing.—Hannah Farrow, Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2024 In both cases, collagen production and blood flow to the area increase, making vaginal walls plumper and better lubricated, respectively.—Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 18 July 2024 Some metals, like zinc and copper, are not harmful in small amounts and are intentionally added to tampons during the manufacturing process for their antimicrobial and lubricating properties.—Hannah Singleton, Health, 18 July 2024 The process of blood flowing to the genitals, vaginas becoming more lubricated and expanded, and nipples becoming more sensitive, typically takes at least 20 minutes.—Maggie Zhou, refinery29.com, 22 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for lubricate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lubricate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin lūbricātus, past participle of lūbricāre "to make slippery," derivative of lūbricus "slippery, hard to hold, liable to lead to false steps, hazardous" — more at sleeve
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