dabber

American  

[dab-er] / ˈdæb ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that dabs. dab.

2. a cushionlike article used for applying ink, as by printers and engravers.

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ˈdabber British  

/ ˈdæbə /

noun

1. a pad used by printers for applying ink by hand

2. a felt-tip pen with a very broad writing point, used especially by bingo players to cancel numbers on their cards

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Etymology

Origin of dabber

First recorded in 1780–90; dab ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

She keeps a second pink ink dabber standing by just in case the one she is using to mark the spaces on her bingo sheet runs out.

From Washington Times • Jan. 11, 2015

Means of Smoking the Ground.—The ground when laid on the plate with the dabber, is quite transparent and allows the glitter of the metal to shine through.

From A Treatise on Etching by Lalanne, Maxime

In a coloring process in use there Forster, or Foster, noticed a peculiar composition that covered the surface of the potter's "dabber."

From The Building of a Book A Series of Practical Articles Written by Experts in the Various Departments of Book Making and Distributing by Hitchcock, Frederick H.

Clay of the desired thickness is then rolled out as described and applied to the mould and dabbed flat with a sponge or dabber.

From Pottery, for Artists Craftsmen & Teachers by Cox, George J.

If it should have cooled too much, before the distribution is accomplished to your satisfaction, in which case the dabber will draw threads, heat the plate gently.

From A Treatise on Etching by Lalanne, Maxime