daub

¹daub

verb \ˈdȯb, ˈdäb\

Definition of DAUB

transitive verb

1

: to cover or coat with soft adhesive matter : plaster

2

: to coat with a dirty substance

3

a : to apply coloring material crudely to

b : to apply (as paint) crudely

intransitive verb

1

archaic : to put on a false exterior

2

: to apply colors crudely

— daub·er noun

Examples of DAUB

1. He daubed some cologne on his neck.
2. Daub the potatoes with a little butter.
3. Various political slogans had been daubed on the walls.
4. He sighed deeply and daubed his eyes with a tissue.

Origin of DAUB

Middle English, from Anglo-French dauber

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DAUB

Synonyms

befoul, begrime, bemire, besmirch, blacken, dirty, distain [archaic], foul, gaum [dialect], grime, mire, muck, muddy, smirch, smudge, soil, stain, sully

Antonyms

clean, cleanse

Related Words

contaminate, defile, pollute, taint; discolor; confuse, disarrange, disarray, dishevel, disorder, draggle, jumble, mess, muddle; colly [chiefly British dialect], crock [dialect]

Near Antonyms

decontaminate, purge, purify; disinfect, sanitize; brush, dry-clean, dust, launder, mop, rinse, scour, scrub, sweep, wash, wipe; brighten, deodorize, freshen, renew, spruce (up); straighten (up), tidy (up)

²daub

noun

Definition of DAUB

1

: material used to daub walls

2

: an act or instance of daubing

3

: something daubed on : smear

4

: a crude picture

Examples of DAUB

1. She added a few daubs of color to the painting.

First Known Use of DAUB

15th century

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot