/ dæb; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb ( -bb- )
1.
dab (at) sth to touch sth lightly, usually several times :
[ vn ]
She dabbed her eyes and blew her nose.
[ v ]
He dabbed at the cut with his handkerchief.
2.
[ vn + adv. / prep. ] to put sth on a surface with quick light movements :
She dabbed a little perfume behind her ears.
■ noun
1.
a small amount of a liquid, cream or powder that is put on a surface in a quick gentle movement :
She put a dab of perfume behind her ears.
2.
an act of gently touching or pressing sth without rubbing :
He gave the cut a quick dab with a towel.
3.
a small flat fish
4.
( WelshE ) a person or thing :
He's in hospital again. Poor dab .
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WORD ORIGIN
noun senses 1 to 2 and verb Middle English : symbolic of a light striking movement; compare with dabble .
noun sense 3 late Middle English : of unknown origin.