rubbing
/ˈɹʌbɪŋ/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: rubbings
Meaning · English
An impression of an embossed or incised surface made by placing a piece of paper over it and rubbing with graphite, crayon or other coloring agent.
Noun
Examples
He was delighted to come across a little-worn crest of the old Great Eastern Railway, never dreaming that such a relic would still be in use, and was taking a pencil-rubbing to add to his collection.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “rubbing” mean?
An impression of an embossed or incised surface made by placing a piece of paper over it and rubbing with graphite, crayon or other coloring agent.
Is “rubbing” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.