View synonyms for dab

dab

[ dab ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

dabbed, dabbing.

to pat or tap gently, as with something soft or moist:
The child dabbed his eyes with the handkerchief.
to apply (a substance) by light strokes:
He dabbed the ointment on the rash.
to strike, especially lightly, as with the hand.
to consume (cannabis) by inhaling the vapor of heated cannabis extract oil.
Masonry. to dress (stonework) with a pointed tool.
Western U.S. to throw (a rope or line) in an effort to lasso or catch something:
Joe dabbed his rope on the steer.

verb (used without object)

dabbed, dabbing.

to strike lightly; make a dab; pat:
She dabbed at the stain on her dress.
to consume cannabis by inhaling the vapor of heated cannabis extract oil.
She dabs for a more intense high.

noun

a quick or light blow; a pat, as with the hand or something soft.
a small moist lump or mass:
a dab of butter.
Synonyms: smidgen, dollop, bit, pat
a small quantity:
a dab of powder.
a dose of cannabis extract oil.
a dance move that involves posing with one’s nose in the crook of a bent elbow at chest level while extending the other arm to the side at or above shoulder level, often performed as a celebratory posture in sports or other competitions.

dab

[ dab ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of several flatfishes of the genus Limanda, especially the European flatfish, L. limanda.

dab

[ dab ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Also called dab hand. a person skilled in something; an expert.
an excellent or extraordinary person or thing.

adjective

expert; excellent; extraordinary.

DAB

⁴

Dictionary of American Biography.

DAB

abbreviation for

digital audio broadcasting

dab

/ dæb /

verb

to touch lightly and quickly
tr to daub with short tapping strokes
to dab the wall with paint
tr to apply (paint, cream, etc) with short tapping strokes

noun

a small amount, esp of something soft or moist
a dab of ink
a small light stroke or tap, as with the hand
often plural a slang word for fingerprint

dab

/ dæb /

noun

a small common European brown flatfish, Limanda limanda, covered with rough toothed scales: family Pleuronectidae: a food fish
often plural any of various other small flatfish, esp flounders Compare sand dab
Also calledpatiki a sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebia , common around New Zealand's South Island

dab

⁴

/ dæb /

noun

informal.
See dab hand

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Word History and Origins

Origin of dab¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English verb dabben “to strike, hit,” of uncertain origin; compare Old Icelandic dabba “to strike, tap,” Norwegian dabbe “to shuffle along, walk slowly,” Middle Dutch dabben “to pinch, knead,” German tappen “to feel along, grope”

Origin of dab²

First recorded in 1570–80; perhaps special use of dab ¹

Origin of dab³

First recorded in 1685–95; of uncertain origin

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Word History and Origins

Origin of dab¹

C14: of imitative origin

Origin of dab²

C15: from Anglo-French dabbe, of uncertain origin

Origin of dab³

C17: perhaps from dab ¹(vb)

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Example Sentences

Her son gently tries to dab it away with a tissue as a nurse comes by with a blood pressure stand.

From BBC

It was a buccaneering innings full of trademark shots square of the wicket as he cut, dabbed, pulled and effortlessly flicked his way to three figures.

From BBC

Adapting to the slowness of the pitch, he played none of his trademark dabs to third man, instead pouncing to whip through the leg side any time England dropped short.

From BBC

Martha Stewart doesn't do warts, but Cutler edits a wry irony into the artful coverage she dabs on her blemishes, like her refusal to count her marital infidelity as equivalent to that of her husband.

From Salon

Mencken, who was a dab hand at writing with great verve about how much he hated just about everything.

From Los Angeles Times

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