/ stæb; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb ( -bb- )
1.
[ vn ] to push a sharp, pointed object, especially a knife, into sb, killing or injuring them :
He was stabbed to death in a racist attack.
She stabbed him in the arm with a screwdriver.
2.
stab (sth) (at sb) | stab sb/sth (with sth) | stab (sth) (at / into / through sth) to make a short, aggressive or violent movement with a finger or pointed object
SYN jab , prod :
[ vn ]
He stabbed his finger angrily at my chest.
She stabbed the air with her fork.
[ v ] ( figurative )
The pain stabbed at his chest.
•
IDIOMS
- stab sb in the back
■ noun
1.
an act of stabbing or trying to stab sb/sth; a wound caused by stabbing :
He received several stabs in the chest.
She died of a single stab wound to the heart.
2.
a sudden sharp pain or unpleasant feeling :
She felt a sudden stab of pain in the chest.
a stab of guilt / fear / pity / jealousy, etc.
3.
[ usually sing. ] stab (at sth / at doing sth) ( informal ) an attempt to do sth :
He found the test difficult but nevertheless made a good stab at it.
Countless people have had a stab at solving the riddle.
•
IDIOMS
- a stab in the back
—more at dark noun
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : of unknown origin.