dab

¹

[ dab ]

verb (used with object)

, dabbed, dab·bing.

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. to consume (cannabis) by inhaling the vapor of heated cannabis extract oil.
5. Masonry. to dress (stonework) with a pointed tool.
6. 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, dab·bing.

1. to strike lightly; make a dab; pat:

   She dabbed at the stain on her dress.

2. to consume cannabis by inhaling the vapor of heated cannabis extract oil.

   She dabs for a more intense high.

noun

1. a quick or light blow; a pat, as with the hand or something soft.
2. a small moist lump or mass:

   a dab of butter.

   Synonyms: smidgen, dollop, bit, pat

3. a small quantity:

   a dab of powder.

4. a dose of cannabis extract oil.
5. 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

²

[ dab ]

noun

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

dab

³

[ dab ]

noun

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

adjective

1. expert; excellent; extraordinary.

DAB

⁴

1. Dictionary of American Biography.

dab

¹

/ dæb /

verb

1. to touch lightly and quickly
2. tr to daub with short tapping strokes

   to dab the wall with paint

3. tr to apply (paint, cream, etc) with short tapping strokes

noun

1. a small amount, esp of something soft or moist

   a dab of ink

2. a small light stroke or tap, as with the hand
3. often plural a slang word for fingerprint

DAB

²

abbreviation for

1. digital audio broadcasting

dab

³

/ dæb /

noun

1. informal.
   See dab hand

dab

⁴

/ dæb /

noun

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dab¹

C14: of imitative origin

Origin of dab²

C17: perhaps from dab ¹(vb)

Origin of dab³

C15: from Anglo-French dabbe, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

On the first day of shooting, Kallai and his film crew found themselves smack-dab in the middle of a war zone.

From The Daily Beast

Dab says the truth—however frightening it may be—ultimately will keep people calm.

From The Daily Beast

Now, they are smack dab in the middle of a GOP primary in Mississippi.

From The Daily Beast

The first U.S. case of MERS landed in Indiana—smack-dab in the heartland.

From The Daily Beast

Recently, at a pot-centered radio program, someone offered me a “dab” of butane honey oil (BHO)—a concentrated form of cannabis.

From The Daily Beast

I had nearly a whole bag of cement left over from my dab at orchard renovation, and there were plenty of packing-boxes.

From Project Gutenberg

I took out the plug and shook out the little dab of quicksilver, and set my teeth in.

From Project Gutenberg

On one cheek he had a dab of jelly and his hand and shirt front were covered with broth.

From Project Gutenberg

“I dab fuss,” cried Pompey, and he swam on to soon reach one of the boughs, and turn round to wait for me.

From Project Gutenberg

Captain Wass showed a resolve to quit pecking at the edges and make a dab at the center of the subject.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• daub
• smear
• smudge
• swab
• wipe