dash

To dash is defined as to move quickly, to destroy or to add elements to something.

(verb)

An example of to dash is to run down the hallway.
An example of to dash is to ruin a family's chance to go on a special vacation, to dash their hopes.
An example of to dash is to add a bit of pepper to a salad.

The definition of a dash is a quick movement or a small amount of an ingredient.

(noun)

An example of a dash is a quick run to the car in the rain to avoid getting wet.
An example of a dash is a bit of salt added to a sauce.

See dash in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to throw so as to break; smash
to strike with violence
to throw, knock, or thrust: with away, down, against, etc.
to splash or spatter (liquid) on (someone or something)
to mix with a little of another substance
to destroy; frustrate: to dash one's hopes
to depress; discourage
to put to shame; abash
Origin: euphemism for damn
Informal to damn: usually in the imperative as a mild curse

Origin: ME dashen, to strike, rush < Scand, as in Swed daska, Dan daske, slap; prob. of echoic orig.

intransitive verb

noun

the effect or sound of smashing or splashing
a bit of something added: a dash of salt
a sudden, swift movement; rush
☆ a short, fast run or race
spirited quality; vigor; verve
striking or showy appearance or display
dashboard (sense )
a hasty stroke with pen or brush
either of two marks (— or –), used in printing and writing to indicate a break in sentence structure, a parenthetical element, or to connect numbers showing a range of dates, times, etc.
Telegraphy a long sound or signal, as in Morse code

noun

in W Africa,

See dash in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb dashed, dash·ing, dash·es

verb, transitive

To break or smash by striking violently.
To hurl, knock, or thrust with sudden violence.
To splash; bespatter.
a. To write hastily. Often used with off: dashed off a note to the dean.
b. To drink hastily. Often used with down: dashed down a glass of milk.
a. To add an enlivening or altering element to.
b. To affect by adding another element or ingredient to: ice cream that was dashed with rum.
a. To destroy or wreck: Our dreams were dashed. See Synonyms at blast.
b. To confound; abash.

verb, intransitive

noun

A swift, violent blow or stroke: knocked the books to the floor with an impatient dash of his hand.
a. A splash.
b. A small amount of an added ingredient: a dash of sherry.
A quick stroke, as with a pencil or brush.
A sudden movement; a rush: made a dash for the exit.
Sports A footrace, usually less than a quarter-mile long, run at top speed from the outset.
A spirited quality in action or style; verve. See Synonyms at vigor.
Either of two symbols, an emdash or an endash, used in writing and in printing.
In Morse and similar codes, the long sound or signal used in combination with the dot and silent intervals to represent letters or numbers.
A dashboard.