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| stab [ stab ] |
verb (past and past participle stabbed, present participle stab·bing, 3rd person present singular stabs) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive verb thrust knife into somebody or something: to thrust a knife or other sharp pointed instrument into somebody or something
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2. transitive and intransitive verb jab finger or object: to thrust a finger or an object sharply at something
  He stabbed his potato angrily with his fork.
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3. intransitive verb hurt like knife wound: to cause a sudden sharp hurting sensation, like that of a knife wound
Pain stabbed at her temples.
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noun (plural stabs) |
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| Definition: |
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1. act of stabbing somebody: the action of thrusting a knife or other sharp pointed instrument into somebody
(
often used before a noun
)
a stab wound
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2. injury from stabbing: an injury or wound sustained from a thrust of a knife or other sharp pointed instrument
The stab was deep enough to require stitches.
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3. sudden painful feeling: a sudden brief sensation, especially of pain
felt a sudden stab of loss
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4. attempt: an attempt at something
(
informal
)
Each of us made a stab at solving the problem.
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5. severe criticism: a severe criticism of somebody
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| [15th century. Origin ?] |
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| stab·ber noun |
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a stab in the back a betrayal, or an act of treachery (informal)
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stab somebody in the back to betray or harm somebody who trusts you
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