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Slap vs Dab - What's the difference?

slap | dab |

As nouns the difference between slap and dab

is that slap is a blow, especially one given with the open hand, or with something broad and flat while dab is baptism (christian sacrament with water).

As a verb slap

is to give a slap.

As an adverb slap

is exactly, precisely.

slap

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A blow, especially one given with the open hand, or with something broad and flat.
  • The sound of such a blow.
  • (slang, uncountable) Makeup, cosmetics.
  • Usage notes

    Especially used of blows to the face (aggressive), buttocks, and hand, frequently as a sign of reproach. Conversely, used of friendly strikes to the back, as a sign of camaraderie.

    Hyponyms

    * cuff

    Derived terms

    * bitch-slap * slap in the face * pimp-slap

    Verb

    (slapp)
  • To give a slap.
  • She slapped him in response to the insult.
  • * 1922 , (Virginia Woolf), (w, Jacob's Room) Chapter 1
  • Mrs. Flanders rose, slapped her coat this side and that to get the sand off, and picked up her black parasol.
  • To cause something to strike soundly.
  • He slapped the reins against the horse's back.
  • To place, to put carelessly.
  • We'd better slap some fresh paint on that wall.

    Derived terms

    * slapper * slap-up

    Hyponyms

    * cuff

    Adverb

    (-)
  • Exactly, precisely
  • He tossed the file down slap in the middle of the table.

    Synonyms

    * just * right * slap bang * smack dab

    Anagrams

    * (l), (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) ----

    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

    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

    * ----