Meaning of dab | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Initialism of digital audio broadcasting.
   abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
2. Initialism of Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (a pro-Beijing political party in the HKSAR).
   Hong-Kong, abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
3. One who is skilful or proficient; an expert; an adept.
4. A small flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae, especially Limanda limanda; a flounder.
5. A soft tap or blow; a blow or peck from a bird's beak; an aimed blow.
6. A sand dab, a small flatfish of genus Citharichthys.
   US
7. A soft, playful box given in greeting or approval.
8. A small amount, a blob of some soft or wet substance.
9. A small amount of hash oil.
   slang
10. Fingerprint.
    British, dated, in-plural
11. A hip hop dance move in which the dancer simultaneously drops the head while raising an arm, briefly resting their face in the elbow, as if sneezing into their elbow.
12. A dabbler.
    obsolete

Equivalents

Examples

“I promise⟳ you nothing,' said the dolls' dressmaker, dabbing two dabs at him with her needle, as if she put⟳ out both his eyes.”

““It was the most absurd kiss. I don't believe⟳ he'd ever kissed a woman in his life before. I threw my head back, and it was a sort⟳ of slidy, pecking dab, just on the end⟳ of the chin — here.” Mrs. Hauksbee tapped her masculine little chin with her fan.”

“Then the minute feet made feeble dabs, or stabs, at the atmosphere; the tiny fists doubled themselves and wandered to and fro as if in search⟳ of the enemy.”

“She gave a few more dabs to his buttocks. “There. By the time you've made love⟳ to me those weals will have⟳ dried up.””

“The men gave each other dabs and another bear⟳ hug.”

“I step closer to Profit and draw⟳ in a deep, steadying breath while the brothers exchange⟳ dabs. “What's up, fam? I see⟳ you finally made it.””

“a dab of glue”

“One had Glash's dabs on it and a half-inch of Macallan at the bottom.”

“for little Urchin as he is, he‘s ſuch a Dab at his Bow and Arrows‘ that ne‘re a Finsbury Archer of ‘em all can pretend⟳ to come⟳ near him.”

“Dab, c. expert exquiſite in Roguery a Rumdab, c. a very Dextrous fellow at fileing , thieving, Cheating, Sharping, sc. Heii a Dab at it, He is well vers'd in it.”

“One excels at a plan⟳ or the title page, another works away at the body of the book, and the third is a dab at an index.”

“I hope⟳ he will like⟳ my answer⟳; it is as good a one as I can write⟳ though nothing to his; Indeed I had always heard what a dab he was at a Love-letter.”

““[…]’S’pose they’re ridin’ Vidley’s ponies?” “De Vitré’s sure to be. He’s a dab on a horse.[…]””

CEFR level