dab1 /dab/ transitive verb (dabbˈing; dabbed)- To touch or press gently with something soft or moist
- To peck
- To smear
- To dress (the face of stone) using a steel point
noun- A gentle touch or wipe with something soft or moist
- A small amount of anything soft or moist
- (usu in pl) a fingerprint (slang)
- A species (Limanda limanda) of flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae
- Applied to other (esp small) flatfish
ORIGIN: Cf MDu and early Mod Du dabben to pinch; Ger Tappe a pat; confused with daub and tap1 dabbˈer noun A pad for dabbing ink on blocks or plates dabbˈity noun (Scot) - A cheap pottery figure sold at fairgrounds, etc
- A small picture on paper that is transferred onto a child's hand by moistening
dabˈchick noun The little grebe (Podiceps ruficollis) |