▪ I. † mab, n. Obs.
[Cf. mab v. and map, 17th c. form of mop n.; also Mab, short for Mabel.]
1. A slattern; a woman of loose character.
| 1557–8 Jacob & Esau v. vi. (1568) G j, Come out thou mother Mab, out olde rotten witche. 1691 Ray N.C. Words 47 To Mab; to dress carelessly: Mabs are Slatterns. a 1700 B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Mab, a Slattern. Mab'd up, Drest carelesly, like a Slattern. 1725 New Cant. Dict., Mob, or Mab, a Wench or Harlot. |
2. A mop.
| 1623 Whitbourne Newfoundland 75 Thrummes for Pitch mabs, 000li. 01s. 6d. |
▪ II. † mab, v. Obs.—0
[Belongs to mab n. Cf. mabble, mob vbs.]
intr. To dress untidily.
| 1691, a 1700 [see mab n.]. 1829 Brockett N.C. Words, Mab, v. to dress carelessly. Hence, Mab-cap, generally called mob-cap, a cap which ties under the chin—worn by elderly women. |