Library / English Dictionary

DAB

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected forms: dabbed    , dabbing   

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A light touch or stroke

Synonyms:

dab; pat; tap

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("dab" is a kind of...):

touch; touching (the act of putting two things together with no space between them)

Derivation:

dab (hit lightly)

dab (apply (usually a liquid) to a surface)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A small quantity of something moist or liquid

Example:

just a splash of whiskey

Synonyms:

dab; splash; splatter

Classified under:

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure

Hypernyms ("dab" is a kind of...):

small indefinite amount; small indefinite quantity (an indefinite quantity that is below average size or magnitude)

Derivation:

dab (apply (usually a liquid) to a surface)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Hit lightly

Example:

pat him on the shoulder

Synonyms:

dab; pat

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "dab" is one way to...):

strike (deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

Derivation:

dab (a light touch or stroke)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Apply (usually a liquid) to a surface

Example:

dab the wall with paint

Synonyms:

dab; swab; swob

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "dab" is one way to...):

apply; put on (apply to a surface)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something with something

Sentence example:

They dab the bread with melted butter

Derivation:

dab (a light touch or stroke)

dab (a small quantity of something moist or liquid)

Credits