noun / verb

dab

DAB/dæb/

A small amount applied with a light touch.

The person dabs a tiny spot of paint onto the ceramic bowl.

An adult gently dabs a tiny paint spot onto a ceramic bowl with a small sponge, quick light touches shown by a few separate dots.

Etymology

Middle English dabben meant “to strike,” though its origin is unknown, perhaps imitative. The action softened from striking to applying slight, quick pressure, giving the modern sense of touching lightly.

In context

Gemma Chambers Art7:50

I can dab the electric eraser on the paper and it lifts some really small patches

Beginner’s Guide to Graphite Pencils | Drawing Realism Made Simple

More examples

He dabs glue onto the corner of the torn page.
I dabbed my wet cheeks with a soft towel.
Two small dabs of paint cover the scratches.

Forms

dab · dabs · dabbed · dabbing

Similar words

smear: Suggests spreading a substance rather than touching one spot.
touch: Does not necessarily suggest quick motion or applying a substance.
dollop: Usually means a larger, loosely shaped portion of something soft.