rubben

Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Uncertain, though akin to Low German rubben, Saterland Frisian rubben, and Old Norse rubba. Possibly ultimately from Proto-Germanic *ruppōną, related to *reufaną.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈrubən/

Verb

rubben (third-person singular simple present rubbeth, present participle rubbende, rubbynge, first-/third-person singular past indicative and past participle rubbed)

  1. To rub; to move back and forwards on a surface:
    Synonym: rudden
    1. To abrade; to rub as to wear down.
    2. To scour; to rub as to clean.
    3. To massage or stroke; to rub gently and soothingly.
  2. To file or scrape off; to attack with an edge.
  3. (medicine) To smear with a lotion.
  4. (rare) To scratch or claw.

Conjugation

Conjugation of rubben (weak in -ed)
infinitive (to) rubben, rubbe
present tense past tense
1st-person singular rubbe rubbed
2nd-person singular rubbest rubbedest
3rd-person singular rubbeth rubbed
subjunctive singular rubbe
imperative singular —
plural1 rubben, rubbe rubbeden, rubbede
imperative plural rubbeth, rubbe —
participles rubbynge, rubbende rubbed, yrubbed

1 Sometimes used as a formal 2nd-person singular.

Descendants

  • English: rub
  • Scots: rub

References

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