dab
pronunciation
How to pronounce dab in British English:
UK [dæb]
How to pronounce dab in American English:
US [dæb]
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- Noun:
- a light touch or stroke
- a small quantity of something moist or soft
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- Verb:
- apply (usually a liquid) to a surface
- hit lightly
Word Origin
- dab (v.)
- c. 1300, dabben "to strike," of unknown origin, perhaps imitative. Modern sense of "strike with a slight, quick pressure" developed by mid-16c., influenced by French dauber (see daub). Related: Dabbed; dabbing. As a noun from c. 1300, "heavy blow with a weapon." Dab hand is British slang, 1828, from dab "expert" (1690s), said to be school slang, of unknown origin, perhaps from dab in the "strike lightly" sense.
Example
- 1. Dab on some pink lip gloss .
- 2. The dab is the largest political party in legco .
- 3. When will hong kong launch its dab service ?
- 4. One reason why western governments have until recently been reticent about cyber-espionage is surely because they are dab hands at it , too .
- 5. But be sure to only dab your face dry and not to rub it .