i Register
In some senses, dab is marked as slang, dated, obsolete, British, US. Watch for register when choosing this word.
dab
/dæb/
noun 9verb 5adv 1adj 1name 1
Collocations
4VERB + DAB
doing, got, nurse, pecking, puts
DAB + NOUN
bow, middle, ointment, rosin, sauce, tomato
PREP.
from, in, on
ADV.
again, gently
Definitions
verb
1
To press lightly in a repetitive motion with a soft object without rubbing.
I dabbed my face with a towel.
Dab the tears from your eyes.
2
To apply a substance in this way.
The nurse will dab some ointment on that gash.
3
To strike by a thrust; to hit with a sudden blow or thrust.
1532-1533, Thomas More, The Confutation of Tyndale's Answer to dabbe him in the necke
Breach hit a line, Zoe Harrison dabbed a kick in behind and Abby Dow chased like fury.
4
To apply hash oil to a heated surface for the purpose of efficient combustion.
5
To perform the dab dance move; to move both arms, parallel with one's head, to either side of the body.
Look, my bruddas don't dab, we just vossi bop
noun
1
A soft tap or blow; a blow or peck from a bird's beak; an aimed blow.
I promise you nothing,' said the dolls' dressmaker, dabbing two dabs at him with her needle, as if she put out both his eyes.
“It was the most absurd kiss. I don't believe he'd ever kissed a woman in his life before. I threw my head back, and it was a sort of slidy, pecking dab, just on the end of the chin — here.” Mrs. Hauksbee tapped her masculine little chin with her fan.
2
A soft, playful box given in greeting or approval.
She gave a few more dabs to his buttocks. “There. By the time you've made love to me those weals will have dried up.”
The men gave each other dabs and another bear hug.
3
A small amount, a blob of some soft or wet substance.
a dab of glue
4
A small amount, a blob of some soft or wet substance.
5
Fingerprint.
One had Glash's dabs on it and a half-inch of Macallan at the bottom.
adv
1
With a dab, or sudden contact.
Thesaurus
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
I dabbed my face with a towel.
Wiktionary02
Dab the tears from your eyes.
Wiktionary03
The nurse will dab some ointment on that gash.
Wiktionary04
I promise you nothing,' said the dolls' dressmaker, dabbing two dabs at him with her needle, as if she put out both his eyes.
Wiktionary05
“It was the most absurd kiss. I don't believe he'd ever kissed a woman in his life before. I threw my head back, and it was a sort of slidy, pecking dab, just on the end of the chin — here.” Mrs. Hauk
Wiktionary06
Then the minute feet made feeble dabs, or stabs, at the atmosphere; the tiny fists doubled themselves and wandered to and fro as if in search of the enemy.
WiktionaryUsage Notes
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