STAB

To pierce with a pointed weapon; to wound or kill by the thrust of a pointed instrument; as, to stab a man with a dagger; also, to thrust; as, to stab a dagger into a person.

Fig.: To injure secretly or by malicious falsehood or slander; as, to stab a person's reputation.

To give a wound with a pointed weapon; to pierce; to thrust with a pointed weapon. None shall dare With shortened sword to stab in closer war. Dryden.

To wound or pain, as if with a pointed weapon. She speaks poniards, and every word stabs. Shak. To stab at, to offer or threaten to stab; to thrust a pointed weapon at.

The thrust of a pointed weapon.

A wound with a sharp-pointed weapon; as, to fall by the stab an assassin. Shak.

Fig.: An injury inflicted covertly or suddenly; as, a stab given to character.