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Dab vs Jab - What's the difference?

dab | jab |

As verbs the difference between dab and jab

is that dab is to press lightly in a repetitive motion with a soft object without rubbing while jab is to poke or thrust abruptly, or to make such a motion.

As nouns the difference between dab and jab

is that dab is a soft tap or blow; a blow or peck from a bird's beak; an aimed blow while jab is a quick stab or blow.

As an adverb dab

is with a dab, or sudden contact.

As an initialism DAB

is digital audio broadcasting.

dab

English

(wikipedia dab)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) .

Verb

(dabb)
  • To press lightly in a repetitive motion with a soft object without rubbing.
    • I dabbed my face with a towel.
  • * S. Sharp
    • A sore should only by dabbing it over with fine lint.
  • To apply a substance in this way.
    • He dabbed moisturizing liquid on his face.
  • To strike by a thrust; to hit with a sudden blow or thrust.
  • * Sir T. More
    • to dab him in the neck
  • To apply

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • A soft tap or blow; a blow or peck from a bird's beak; an aimed blow.
  • *
  • *
  • (AAVE) A soft, playful given in greeting or approval.
  • *
  • *
  • *
    • page 197: 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 small amount, a blob of some soft or wet substance.
  • (chiefly, in the plural, dated, British) Fingerprint.
  • A small amount of .
    • Coordinate terms
    * fistbump, high five
    Related terms
    * dob

    Adverb

    (-)
  • With a dab, or sudden contact.

    • Etymology 2

    Perhaps corrupted from adept.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One skilful or proficient; an expert; an adept.
  • * Goldsmith
    • 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.
    Synonyms
    * See also
    Derived terms
    * dab hand

    Etymology 3

    Origin unknown.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A small flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae, especially ? a flounder.
  • (US) A sand dab, a small flatfish of genus .

    • References

    * Oxford English Dictionary (1989)

    Anagrams

    * ----

    jab

    English

    (wikipedia jab)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A quick stab or blow
  • (boxing) A short straight punch.
  • * '>citation
    • American Ward was too quick and too slick for his British rival, landing at will with razor sharp jabs and hooks and even bullying Froch at times.
  • (British) A medical injection.
    • Our dog was exposed to rabies, so the whole family went to a clinic to get our jabs .
  • (US, figurative) A verbal annoyance.

    • Derived terms

    * jabby

    Verb

    (jabb)
  • To poke or thrust abruptly, or to make such a motion.
  • To deliver a quick punch.
  • (slang, UK) To give someone an injection