Stab Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

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The Britannica Dictionary stab 5 ENTRIES FOUND:

• stab (noun)
• stab (verb)
• stabbing (noun)
• stabbing (adjective)
• back (noun)

1 stab /ˈstæb/ noun plural stabs 1 stab /ˈstæb/ noun plural stabs Britannica Dictionary definition of STAB [count] 1 : a wound made by a pointed weapon (such as a knife)

• He died from a stab to the heart. [=died from being stabbed in the heart]
• a stab wound/victim

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : a sudden, strong feeling of physical or emotional pain — + of

• a stab of pain/regret/doubt/fear

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 informal : an attempt to do something successfully — often + at

• She took/made a stab at solving the problem. [=she made an attempt to solve the problem]
• Let me give it a stab. = Let me have a stab at it. [=let me try to do it]

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a stab in the back

: an action or way of behaving that hurts someone who trusts you : an act of betrayal

• I can't believe that someone I had helped and supported would steal from me. It's a real stab in the back.

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a stab in the dark

1 : a guess that is based on very little or no information or evidence

• They don't really know how much the work will cost. They're just taking a stab [=shot] in the dark.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : an attempt that is not likely to succeed

• It's a stab [=shot] in the dark, but we should try anyway.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 stab /ˈstæb/ verb stabs; stabbed; stabbing 2 stab /ˈstæb/ verb stabs; stabbed; stabbing Britannica Dictionary definition of STAB 1 [+ object] : to wound (someone or something) with a pointed weapon (such as a knife)

• He stabbed her with a dagger.
• The victim was stabbed in the chest five times.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : to quickly or suddenly push a pointed object into or toward someone or something [+ object]

• He stabbed the piece of meat with a fork. = He stabbed the fork into the piece of meat.
• She stabbed [=jabbed] the air with her pen as she spoke.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples [no object] — often + at

• She stabbed at the dead animal with a stick.

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stab (someone) in the back

: to hurt (someone who trusts you) by not giving help or by doing something morally wrong : to betray (someone)

• He's the kind of person who gets you to trust him but then stabs you in the back.

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