grease
UK: ɡriːs | US: ɡriːs
n. a thick, oily substance, especially one used to lubricate machinery
vt. to apply grease or oil to something
n. (informal) excessive flattery or bribery
The word "grease" originates from the Old French "grece" (later "graisse"), meaning "fat or oily substance," which itself derives from the Latin "crassus" (thick, fat). The silent "e" in modern English is a vestige of Middle English spelling conventions. Over time, the term expanded from literal fat/oil to metaphorical uses like bribery (from the idea of "smoothing" transactions).
The mechanic applied grease to the gears to reduce friction.
Grease the baking pan to prevent the cake from sticking.
(Informal) He used some political grease to get the permit approved.
Her hands were covered in grease after fixing the bicycle.
The old hinges squeaked until we added a bit of grease.