Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Daub?

\Daub\ (d[add]b), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Daubed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Daubing}.] [OE. dauben to smear, OF. dauber to plaster, fr. L. dealbare to whitewash, plaster; de- + albare to whiten, fr. albus white, perh. also confused with W. dwb plaster, dwbio to plaster, Ir. & OGael. dob plaster. See {Alb}, and cf. {Dealbate}.] 1. To smear with soft, adhesive matter, as pitch, slime, mud, etc.; to plaster; to bedaub; to besmear. She took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch. --Ex. ii. 3. 2. To paint in a coarse or unskillful manner. If a picture is daubed with many bright and glaring colors, the vulgar admire it is an excellent piece. --I. Watts. A lame, imperfect piece, rudely daubed over. --Dryden. 3. To cover with a specious or deceitful exterior; to disguise; to conceal. So smooth he daubed his vice with show of virtue. --Shak. 4. To flatter excessively or glossy. [R.] I can safely say, however, that, without any daubing at all, I am very sincerely your very affectionate, humble servant. --Smollett. 5. To put on without taste; to deck gaudily. [R.] Let him be daubed with lace. --Dryden.
\Daub\, v. i. To smear; to play the flatterer. His conscience . . . will not daub nor flatter. --South.
\Daub\, n. 1. A viscous, sticky application; a spot smeared or dabed; a smear. 2. (Paint.) A picture coarsely executed. Did you . . . take a look at the grand picture? . . . 'T is a melancholy daub, my lord. --Sterne.