lube
UK[luːb]US[luːb]
n
A substance, especially an oil or grease, used to reduce friction between surfaces.
v
To apply a lubricant to something.
Etymology
The word 'lube' is a 20th-century American English shortening of 'lubricant'. 'Lubricant' itself originates from the Latin verb 'lubricare', meaning "to make slippery or smooth," which is derived from 'lubricus' (slippery). The Latin term is thought to possibly trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root sleubh-, meaning "to slide or slip." The modern clipped form 'lube' retains the core functional meaning of its parent word, specifically denoting a substance used to reduce friction, and exemplifies the tendency in technical and informal language to create concise, efficient terms.
Analysis
The word 'lube' is a clipping (shortening) of the word 'lubricant'. As a simplex form, it does not contain separable morphemes in its modern spelling.
Examples
You should apply some lube to the squeaky hinge.
The mechanic will lube the engine components during the service.
This synthetic lube performs well in extreme temperatures.