[dab] 
verb, dabbed, dab⋅bing, noun | 1. | to pat or tap gently, as with something soft or moist: The child dabbed his eyes with the handkerchief. |
| 2. | to apply (a substance) by light strokes: He dabbed the ointment on the rash. |
| 3. | to strike, esp. lightly, as with the hand. |
| 4. | Masonry. to dress (stonework) with a pointed tool. |
| 5. | Western U.S. to throw (a rope or line) in an effort to lasso or catch something: Joe dabbed his rope on the steer. |
| 6. | to strike lightly; make a dab; pat: She dabbed at the stain on her dress. |
| 7. | a quick or light blow; a pat, as with the hand or something soft. |
| 8. | a small moist lump or mass: a dab of butter. |
| 9. | a small quantity: a dab of powder. |
[dab] | any of several flatfishes of the genus Limanda, esp. the European flatfish, L. limanda. |
[dab] Slang.| 1. | Also called dab hand. a person skilled in something; an expert. |
| 2. | an excellent or extraordinary person or thing. |
| 3. | expert; excellent; extraordinary. |
| Dictionary of American Biography. |
| dab 1 (dāb) v. dabbed, dab·bing, dabs v. tr.
To tap gently; pat. n.
[Middle English dabben, to strike.] |
| dab 2 (dāb) n. Any of various flatfishes, chiefly of the genera Limanda and Hippoglossoides, related to and resembling the flounders. [Middle English dabbe.] |
| dab 3 (dāb) n. Chiefly British A dab hand. [Origin unknown.] |
| DAB Dictionary of American Biography |
dab
any of the flatfishes of the genus Limanda, family Pleuronectidae, found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific. Dabs are right-eyed flatfish-i.e., the eyes are usually on the right side of the head. The dab of European waters is L. limanda, an abundant and valuable food fish. It is small, usually under 25 cm (10 inches) long, and light brown, with or without dark spots.
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