Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun One who is skilled; one who is expert; a master of his business; a dab.
- noun A dabbler; a bungler.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun colloq. One who is skilled; a master of his business; a proficient; an adept.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun An expert, one who is master of their profession.
- noun A
handy person. - noun A
dabbler orbungler .
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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The best kind of a "dabster" is made from a mole's skin.
Outdoor Sports and Games Claude H. Miller
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Can a more triumphant imbecile, a more abject dabster, a more stercoraceous bourgeois be found!
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That Purdy, of all people, should prove a dabster in the share-market! — exchange to such good purpose bar-parlour for “Corner.”
The Way Home 2003
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"Wal, they say one has to creep a-fore they walk, so I spose I can't be a dabster at the bisness yet -- but jist look at them folks."
Marguerite Verne Rebecca Agatha Armour
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"He certainly was a dabster at it," chimed in Jimmy.
The Radio Boys Trailing a Voice or, Solving a Wireless Mystery Allen Chapman
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The knuckle dabster is a small piece of cloth or leather that boys use to rest the hand on when in the act of shooting.
Outdoor Sports and Games Claude H. Miller
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Maybe Joyce can tempt you with a mixture she's a dabster at.
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"I'm no dabster myself at writing and I can sympathize with you."
Baseball Joe Around the World Pitching on a Grand Tour Lester Chadwick
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"I'll admit you're a dabster, Evelyn, dear," she cried, "but you will have to get up early in the morning to get the best of your little friend."
Lucile Triumphant Elizabeth M. Duffield
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He became a dabster at tucking paper napkins into his neat little waistcoat without tearing them.
The Innocents A Story for Lovers Sinclair Lewis 1918
ruzuzu commented on the word dabster
From the examples:
“Can a more triumphant imbecile, a more abject dabster, a more stercoraceous bourgeois be found!”
--The George Sand-Gustave Flaubert Letters
July 19, 2012
qms commented on the word dabster
A diplomat viewing disaster
Might say that the artist's a dabster.
Though bungling's averred
The Janus-faced word
Is heard as the praise of a master.
August 14, 2017
qms commented on the word dabster
See another version of the back-handed compliment in comments at facetely.
August 23, 2017