/stab/ , v. , stabbed, stabbing , n.
v.t.
1. to pierce or wound with or as if with a pointed weapon: She stabbed a piece of chicken with her fork.
2. to thrust, plunge, or jab (a knife, pointed weapon, or the like) into something: He stabbed the knife into the man's chest.
3. to penetrate sharply or painfully: Their misery stabbed his conscience.
4. to make a piercing, thrusting, or pointing motion at or in: He stabbed me in the chest with his finger. The speaker stabbed the air in anger.
v.i.
5. to thrust with or as if with a knife or other pointed weapon: to stab at an attacker.
6. to deliver a wound, as with a pointed weapon.
7. stab (someone) in the back , to do harm to (someone), esp. to a friend or to a person who is unsuspecting or in a defenseless position.
n.
8. the act of stabbing.
9. a thrust or blow with, or as if with, a pointed weapon.
10. an attempt; try: Make a stab at an answer before giving up.
11. a wound made by stabbing.
12. a sudden, brief, and usually painful, sensation: He felt a stab of pain in his foot. A stab of pity ran through her.
13. stab in the back , an act of treachery.
[ 1325-75; (v.) ME (Scots) stabben stob STUB 1 ]
Syn. 1. spear, penetrate, pin, transfix.