from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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She took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it
with slime and with pitch. --Ex. ii. 3.
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2. To paint in a coarse or unskillful manner.
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If a picture is daubed with many bright and glaring
colors, the vulgar admire it is an excellent piece.
--I. Watts.
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A lame, imperfect piece, rudely daubed over.
--Dryden.
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3. To cover with a specious or deceitful exterior; to
disguise; to conceal.
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So smooth he daubed his vice with show of virtue.
--Shak.
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4. To flatter excessively or glossy. [R.]
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I can safely say, however, that, without any daubing
at all,
I am very sincerely your very affectionate, humble
servant. --Smollett.
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5. To put on without taste; to deck gaudily. [R.]
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Let him be daubed with lace. --Dryden.
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