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| dab [ dab ] |
transitive verb (3rd person present singular dabs, present participle dabbing, past and past participle dabbed) |
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| Definition: |
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1. tap something gently: to pat or touch something lightly or gently
 She dabbed the tears from her eyes.
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2. apply something gently: to apply a substance using a quick light tapping action
 The nurse dabbed some ointment on the cut.
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noun (plural dabs) |
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| Definition: |
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1. small quantity: a small quantity, especially of a moist or soft substance
 a dab of butter
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2. gentle tap: a light gentle tap, e.g. with the hand or a soft material
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3. crime fingerprint: a fingerprint, especially of a suspected criminal
(
slang
)
(
often used in the plural
)
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| [14th century. Suggestive of the action] |