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• dab
  dab

  verb (used with object)

  to pat or tap gently, as with something soft or moist.
• DAB
  DAB

  Dictionary of American Biography.

dab

¹ American  

[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. 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.

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verb (used without object)

dabbed, dabbing

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 American  

[dab] / dæb /

noun

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

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dab ³ American  

[dab] / dæb /

noun

1. Also called dab hand.  a person skilled in something; an expert.

2. an excellent or extraordinary person or thing.

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adjective

1. expert; excellent; extraordinary.

DAB ⁴ American  

1. Dictionary of American Biography.

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dab ¹ British  

/ 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

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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 British  

/ 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 called: patiki.  a sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebia , common around New Zealand's South Island

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DAB ³ British  

abbreviation

1. digital audio broadcasting

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dab ⁴ British  

/ dæb /

noun

1. informal See dab hand

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Usage

What else does dab mean? In slang, dab can be a highly concentrated marijuana extract, a type of hip-hop dance, or touching the ground with your foot while you ride a bicycle. Doing any of these actions is called dabbing, and yes, you could feasibly do all three at once—not that we recommend it.

Etymology

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

Explanation

A dab is a quick, soft application of something, like paint or makeup. You might touch up a clown's makeup with several dabs on his cheeks and forehead. A dab is the motion with which you pat or apply something to a surface, and it's also the tiny amount of material you're applying. An artist might work in dabs of paint, and a baker might lick a dab of cake batter off her finger. Dab is a verb too: "Dab this aloe on your sunburn — it'll feel much better." A dab is a "light, striking movement," from the earlier dabben, "to strike."

Example Sentences

Jackson is now committed to downing sauces at the top to the Scoville spice scale, with names such as Dave's Ghost Pepper Garlic Insanity Sauce, the Torchbearer Garlic Reaper and The Last Dab.

From Fox News • Jan. 13, 2021

Jackson is now committed to downing sauces at the top to the Scoville spice scale, with names such as Dave’s Ghost Pepper Garlic Insanity Sauce, the Torchbearer Garlic Reaper and The Last Dab.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 13, 2021

The star lot was the singer's abstract painting Dab 2 that fetched £40,000.

From BBC • Nov. 9, 2020

She also provided the voices for the duck Dab Dab in “Doolittle” and a tavern-owning mythical creature in Pixar’s “Onward.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2020

"Ready," said Dab, and the "Jenny" glided gracefully away from the landing with the starting push he gave her.

From St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 5, July 1878, No. 9 by Dodge, Mary Mapes

Related Words

• daub
• smear
• smudge
• swab
• wipe