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Webster's New World College Dictionary » take a stab at
take a stab at
Variant of stab
stab
definition
stab (stab)
noun
- a wound made by piercing with a knife, dagger, or other pointed weapon
- a thrust, as with a knife or dagger
- a sudden sensation of anguish or pain
Etymology: ME stabbe, prob. < stobbe, var. of stubbe, stub
transitive verb stabbed, stabbing stab′·bing
- to pierce or wound with or as with a knife, etc.
- to thrust or plunge (a knife, etc.) into something
- to go into in a sharp, thrusting way
intransitive verb
- to make a thrust or piercing wound with or as with a knife
- to feel like a knife stabbing: said of pain
Related Forms:
- stabber stab′·ber noun
stab Idioms
stab in the back
- to harm (someone) by treachery
- an act of betrayal
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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