Word Direct Answers

What does "daub" mean?

Daub: 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.

Additional senses

  1. 2.To cover with a specious or deceitful exterior; to disguise; to conceal. So smooth he daubed his vice with show of virtue. Shak.
  2. 3.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.
  3. 4.To put on without taste; to deck gaudily. [R.] Let him be daubed with lace. Dryden.
  4. 5.To smear; to play the flatterer. His conscience . . . will not daub nor flatter. South.
  5. 6.A viscous, sticky application; a spot smeared or dabed; a smear.
  6. 7.(Paint.) A picture coarsely executed. Did you . . . take a look at the grand picture . . . 'T is a melancholy daub, my lord. Sterne.

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