Word Frequency
dab1 (dæb
)
Definitions
verb
Word forms: dabs, dabbing, dabbed
- 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 (mainly British) a slang word for fingerprint
Word Origin
C14: of imitative origindab2 (dæb
)
Definitions
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 called: patiki. a sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebia, common around New Zealand's South Island
Word Origin
C15: from Anglo-French dabbe, of uncertain origindab3 (dæb
)
Definitions
noun
- (British, informal) See dab hand
Word Origin
C17: perhaps from dab1 (vb)Translations for 'dab'
- British English: dab If you dab something, you touch it several times using quick, light movements. VERBShe arrived weeping, dabbing her eyes with a tissue.
- Brazilian Portuguese: tocar levemente
- Chinese: 轻擦轻輕擦
- European Spanish: dar ligeros toques
- French: tamponner
- German: betupfen
- Italian: tamponare
- Japanese: 軽くたたく
- Korean: 가볍게 문지르다
- Portuguese: tocar levemente
- Spanish: dar ligeros toques
- British English: dab A dab of something is a small amount of it that is put onto a surface. NOUNShe wore no make-up, not even a dab of lipstick.a dab of sth
- Brazilian Portuguese: pincelada
- Chinese: 少量
- European Spanish: toque
- French: touche
- German: Tupfer
- Italian: velo
- Japanese: 少量
- Korean: 적은 양
- Portuguese: pincelada
- Spanish: toque
Example Sentences Including 'dab'
A bit like his obsessive dab of the face with a towel between every point.Sun, News of the World (2001)
Brush off the excess and then either dab with water or use a spray.Fools Rush In - A Call to Christian Clowning
Her 64 hectares are smack dab in the heavy industry zone, right next to some of those bought out.Edmonton Sun (2003)
I had to have my hair up in a granny's bun and could wear no make-up, not even a dab of lipstick.Web of Dreams
The penthouse is smack dab in the centre of Birmingham, with fabulous views of the city.Glasgow Herald (2001)
Then, with an almost savage gesture, he lifted an unfinished canvas on to his easel and began to dab at it furiously.Dreams of Innocence
Using a pastry brush, dab with reserved juices on any part of the bread that is not fully coloured.Courier, Sunday Mail (2005)
What you usually got--still get--was a dish of soggy, boiled carrots topped with, if you are lucky, a small dab of butter.Country Life (2004)
When it's cool enough I'll bring it in and give you a good dab.PROSPECT HILL (2003)
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