dab1 (dab)

[ Swift , Mem. of Capt. Creichton, p. 82. 2. A gentle blow or pat with the hand or some soft substance.-3. A dig; a peck, as from the beak of a bird.-4. A first or imperfect impre ion on the metal in making a die.-5. А small lump or ma of something soft or moist; a small quantity: as, a dab of mortar; a dab of butter. - 6t. A trifle; a slight, insignificant thing or person: in contempt. Cutting the leaves of a new dab called Anecdotes of Polite Literature. Walpole, Letters, II. 337. 1437 To confound or stupefy by rapid talking. II. in trans. To jar; wrangle. dabbing (dab'ing), n. [Verbal n. of dab1, v.] 1. In stone - working, the proce of covering the surface of a stone, after it has been made uniform, with small indentations, by means of a pick-shaped tool, or a hammer indented so as to form a series of points. Also called daubing and picking.-2. See the extract. This way of fishing we call daping, dabbing , or dibbing; wherein you are always to have your line flying before you up or down the river, as the wind serves, and to angle as near as you can to the bank of the same side whereon you stand. Cotton , in I. Walton's Complete Angler, ii. 241.