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Antonyms for dab


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : dab
Phonetic Transcription : dæb



Definition of dab

Origin :
  • 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.
  • noun small quantity
  • verb blot up; touch lightly
Example sentences :
  • "It's my own hair, Jenny Walters," said Dab, almost savagely.
  • Extract from : « St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. V, August, 1878, No 10. » by Various
  • But a dab of varnish, a touch of gilding here and there, was all that was necessary.
  • Extract from : « Chance » by Joseph Conrad
  • She was rubbing distressfully at a dab of rouge on her cheek.
  • Extract from : « The Trail of '98 » by Robert W. Service
  • The candle has been lighted and stuck with a dab of grease on the ledge.
  • Extract from : « Stories of the Saints by Candle-Light » by Vera C. Barclay
  • They dab a splotch of sheep-dip on the place and go right ahead.
  • Extract from : « Following the Equator, Complete » by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
  • Fancy it did, your honour; for the Colonel was a dab with the scissors.
  • Extract from : « Eugene Aram, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
  • He forgets the force of example, however much of a dab he may be at precept.
  • Extract from : « Beauchamp's Career, Complete » by George Meredith
  • The mutilated cell shall stay as it is, with never a dab of mortar.
  • Extract from : « The Mason-bees » by J. Henri Fabre
  • Dont some of you want me to dab a little red on your cheeks?
  • Extract from : « For the Honor of Randall » by Lester Chadwick
  • Make a dab here and there, if you happen to know of any rocks and shoals.
  • Extract from : « The Monikins » by J. Fenimore Cooper

Synonyms for dab

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019