Bedaub: meaning, definitions and examples
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bedaub
[ bɪˈdɔːb ]
apply, smear
To bedaub means to smear or daub something with a substance, often in a careless or excessive manner. This word is typically used in relation to applying a thick layer of paint, mud, or another material onto a surface. The act of bedaubing can often leave a messy or unsightly finish. It may also imply a lack of attention to detail or finesse in application.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The artist chose to bedaub the canvas with bright colors.
- Children often enjoy to bedaub their hands with paint during art class.
- The walls of the barn were bedaubed with lime to protect against moisture.
Translations
Translations of the word "bedaub" in other languages:
🇵🇹 cobrir
- pintar
- manchar
🇮🇳 लपेटना
- सजाना
- दाग देना
🇩🇪 bedecken
- anstreichen
- beschmutzen
🇮🇩 menutupi
- melukis
- mengotori
🇺🇦 покривати
- малювати
- забруднювати
🇵🇱 pokrywać
- malować
- plamić
🇯🇵 覆う
- 塗る
- 汚す
🇫🇷 couvrir
- peindre
- tacher
🇪🇸 cubrir
- pintar
- manchar
🇹🇷 örtmek
- boyamak
- lekelenmek
🇰🇷 덮다
- 칠하다
- 더럽히다
🇸🇦 تغطية
- طلاء
- تلوث
🇨🇿 pokrýt
- malovat
- znečistit
🇸🇰 pokryť
- maľovať
- zašpiniť
🇨🇳 覆盖
- 涂抹
- 弄脏
🇸🇮 pokriti
- obarvati
- umažati
🇮🇸 hylja
- mála
- skíta
🇰🇿 жабыру
- бояу
- ласымдау
🇬🇪 დახურვა
- მოლბა
- ბინძურება
🇦🇿 örtmək
- rəngləmək
- çirkləndirmək
🇲🇽 cubrir
- pintar
- manchar
Etymology
The word 'bedaub' has its roots in the Old English word 'dūbban', which means to daub or smear. It evolved through Middle English as 'bedauben'. The prefix 'be-' in Old English often means 'to make' or 'to cause to be', while 'daub' comes from a root that refers to applying a thick substance. Over time, 'bedaub' came to be widely used in English to describe the act of covering a surface in a haphazard manner. Its usage has been present in literature for several centuries, often in contexts related to painting, art, and even criticism of poor workmanship. The word retains a somewhat negative connotation, suggesting a lack of precision or care in the application.