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

When it is not available the dabber must be employed in the old manner.

From A Treatise on Etching by Lalanne, Maxime

Revarnishing with the Dabber for Rebiting.—For partial rebiting the same result may be reached by applying the ground with the dabber.

From A Treatise on Etching by Lalanne, Maxime

To equalize the ground a dabber was used, which was made of cotton-wool under horsehair, the whole inclosed in silk.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 7 "Equation" to "Ethics" by Various

Take up a very little color on the dabber, and work it about on the center of the paper for some time, till the dabber is evenly covered with a thin coating.

From Paper and Printing Recipes A Handy Volume of Practical Recipes, Concerning the Every-Day Business of Stationers, Printers, Binders, and the Kindred Trades by Ford, J. Sawtelle