grate, rub, scratch, scrape, chafe, scour
擦 centers on two surfaces moving against each other with pressure: grating, rubbing, scratching, scraping, chafing, or scouring. All meanings share the idea of friction and abrasion.
擦 combines the hand radical 扌 with 察, which likely contributes the sound サツ. The hand suggests the action of rubbing or scraping.
A hand 扌 using a tool to inspect 察 a surface by rubbing it: you grate, scratch, or scour to feel the texture.
For サツ, imagine rubbing two rough surfaces together making a sharp 'satsu' sound, like sandpaper on wood: satsu -> サツ.
to rub; to chafe; to strike (match); to file; to frost (glass)
to rub; to scrub; to scrape
friction
chafing; sore; scrape; scratch; mark; rub; rubbing together; blister
scratch; graze; scrape; abrasion
to rub (on); to wipe; to daub; to smear
to press against; to push against; to nuzzle against (e.g. dog nosing a person)
to be rubbed
to rub; to chafe
bitch; shameless woman
to draw close to; to edge up to; to snuggle up to; to nestle close to; to cuddle with; to draw closer to
to wear out
rubbing; scrubbing; scraping
abrasion; scratch; graze
worldly wise; sophisticated; street smart; knowledge of the world (acquired in the school of hard knocks); toughness
rubdown with a dry towel
rubdown with a wet towel; cold-water rubbing
kinetic friction
skin friction
rubbing an ointment into the skin