it's not a good idea to use olive oil to lubricate the gears in an appliance
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The course of its action and the dynamics of its relationships run in familiar grooves, lubricated by generous applications of blood and goo.—Mike Hale, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025 The shoulder joint capsule is basically a pocket of strong ligaments and lubricating synovial fluid that anchors and stabilizes the upper arm bone within the shoulder socket.—Amy Norton, SELF, 29 Jan. 2025 This is due to a degradation of cartilage (the squishy material that protects the ends of the bones) and a reduction in synovial fluid – which lubricates the joints.—Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025 Anchoring the space and lubricating it well is a new taproom from Alameda’s Almanac Beer Co.—Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lubricate
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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