Treated, covered, or lubricated with oil. Can describe something that has been maintained with oil for smooth operation or preservation.
From 'oil' (Old French 'oile', from Latin 'oleum', from Greek 'elaion', from 'elaia' meaning olive tree) plus the past participle ending '-ed'. The verb form developed as oil became an important substance for lubrication and preservation in medieval times.
The phrase 'well-oiled machine' reflects oil's crucial role in the Industrial Revolution - without proper lubrication, the complex machinery of the 18th and 19th centuries would have ground to a halt. Ancient civilizations prized olive oil not just for cooking but as a preservative, cosmetic, and lamp fuel, making it one of history's most valuable commodities.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.