dab1

[dab] /dæb/
verb (used with object), dabbed, dabbing.
1.
to pat or tap gently, as with something soft or moist:
The child dabbed his eyes with the handkerchief.
2.
to apply (a substance) by light strokes:
He dabbed the ointment on the rash.
3.
to strike, especially lightly, as with the hand.
4.
Masonry. to dress (stonework) with a pointed tool.
5.
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.
6.
to strike lightly; make a dab; pat:
She dabbed at the stain on her dress.
noun
7.
a quick or light blow; a pat, as with the hand or something soft.
8.
a small moist lump or mass:
a dab of butter.
9.
a small quantity:
a dab of powder.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English dabben; compare Norwegian dabbe shuffle along, walk slowly, German Tappe pat, tappen to feel along, grope
Synonyms
8. pat, bit; dollop, smidgen.

dab2

[dab] /dæb/
noun
1.
any of several flatfishes of the genus Limanda, especially the European flatfish, L. limanda.
Origin
1570-80; perhaps special use of dab1

dab3

[dab] /dæb/
noun
1.
Also called dab hand. a person skilled in something; an expert.
2.
an excellent or extraordinary person or thing.
adjective
3.
expert; excellent; extraordinary.
Origin
1685-95; of uncertain origin

DAB

1.
Dictionary of American Biography.
Examples from the web for dab
  • The uk was the first country to receive a wide range of radio stations via dab.
  • The old version of dab uses punctured convolutional coding for its ecc.
British Dictionary definitions for dab

dab1

/dæb/
verb dabs, dabbing, dabbed
1.
to touch lightly and quickly
2.
(transitive) to daub with short tapping strokes: to dab the wall with paint
3.
(transitive) to apply (paint, cream, etc) with short tapping strokes
noun
4.
a small amount, esp of something soft or moist: a dab of ink
5.
a small light stroke or tap, as with the hand
6.
(often pl) (mainly Brit) a slang word for fingerprint
Word Origin
C14: of imitative origin

dab2

/dæb/
noun
1.
a small common European brown flatfish, Limanda limanda, covered with rough toothed scales: family Pleuronectidae: a food fish
2.
(often pl) any of various other small flatfish, esp flounders Compare sand dab
3.
Also called patiki. a sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebia, common around New Zealand's South Island
Word Origin
C15: from Anglo-French dabbe, of uncertain origin

dab3

/dæb/
noun
1.
(Brit, informal) See dab hand
Word Origin
C17: perhaps from dab1 (vb)

DAB

abbreviation
1.
digital audio broadcasting
Word Origin and History for dab
v.

c.1300, dabben "to strike," of unknown origin, perhaps imitative. Modern sense of "strike with a slight, quick pressure" developed by mid-16c., influenced by French dauber (see daub). Related: Dabbed; dabbing. As a noun from c.1300, "heavy blow with a weapon." Dab hand is British slang, 1828, from dab "expert" (1690s), said to be school slang, of unknown origin, perhaps from dab in the "strike lightly" sense.

Slang definitions & phrases for dab

dab

Related Terms

smack


Related Abbreviations for dab

DAB

Dictionary of American Biography
Encyclopedia Article for dab

any of the flatfishes of the genus Limanda, family Pleuronectidae, found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific. Dabs are right-eyed flatfish-i.e., the eyes are usually on the right side of the head. The dab of European waters is L. limanda, an abundant and valuable food fish. It is small, usually under 25 cm (10 inches) long, and light brown, with or without dark spots.

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