dab
verb (used with object)
to pat or tap gently, as with something soft or moist.
was dabbing
-
past progressiveof dab.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When the house lights rose at the end, a woman near me was dabbing tears.
From Golf Digest ● Oct. 16, 2013
The other day, Carolyn Fuchs, an exhibit specialist who studied fine arts at Connecticut College, was dabbing green and white paint — the lichen — on the trunk of an artificial buttress tree.
From New York Times ● Jul. 16, 2013
Then, describing how the Chirkinian persona came alive and gave a hard time to the makeup artist who was dabbing his forehead, Haas did an impression of the stentorian Chirkinian delivery.
From New York Times ● Mar. 5, 2011
By the time the final curtain fell on the Holy Grail drama, many a listener was dabbing at his eyes.
From Time Magazine Archive
Madam Pomfrey was dabbing at his wounds with some harsh-smelling green ointment.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
