I. jab 1 /dʒæb/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle jabbed , present participle jabbing ) [intransitive and transitive]
[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Origin: job 'to jab' (15-20 centuries) , probably copying the action ]
to push something into or towards something else with short quick movements
jab at
She jabbed at the elevator buttons.
When I didn’t respond, he jabbed a finger at me.
jab somebody with something
Stop jabbing me with your elbow!
jab something into something
The soldier jabbed a rifle into his ribs.
II. jab 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
1 . a sudden hard hit, especially with a pointed object or your ↑ fist (=closed hand) :
a boxer with a good left jab
2 . something you say to criticize someone or something else:
White House officials took a sharp jab at the Democrats’ plan.
3 . British English informal an ↑ injection given to prevent you from catching a disease SYN shot :
a typhoid jab