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A mark of reference in the form of a dagger [|]. It is the second in order when more than one reference occurs on a page; -- called also obelisk. Dagger moth (Zoöl.), any moth of the genus Apatalea. The larvæ are often destructive to the foliage of fruit trees, etc. -- Dagger of lath, the wooden weapon given to the Vi…

Drawn in air; imaginary. This is the air-drawn dagger. Shak.

A broad dagger formerly worn at the girdle. [Written also anelace.]

A short sword or dagger, worn in the fifteenth century. [Written also baslard.] Fairholt.

A pointed instrument of the dagger kind fitted on the muzzle of a musket or rifle, so as to give the soldier increased means of offense and defense.

A dagger. [Obs.] When he himself might his quietus make With a bare bodkin. Shak.

A dagger; a bodkin. [Obs.]

Making a fine show or display. [Archaic] Wear my dagger with the braver grace. Shak. For I have gold, and therefore will be brave. In silks I'll rattle it of every color. Robert Greene. Frog and lizard in holiday coats And turtle brave in his golden spots. Emerson.

To cover as with breeches. [Poetic] Their daggers unmannerly breeched with gore. Shak.

The transverse guard of a sword or dagger.

her in his head, and clutch the whole globe at one intellectual grasp. Collier. Is this a dagger which I see before me . . . Come, let me clutch thee. Shak.

The expansion of the guard of a sword, dagger, etc.

A knife; a dagger.

or of the imagination; nature. We know that the whole creation groaneth. Rom. viii. 22. A dagger of the mind, a false creation. Shak. Choice pictures and creations of curious art. Beaconsfield.

A dagger or short sword used by the Malays, commonly having a serpentine blade. [Written also crease and kris.] From a Malayan creese to a sailor's jackknife. Julian Hawthorne.

A dagger; a poniard. [Obs.] Johnson.

The mark ||; -- called also double dagger.

A kind of dagger or poniard; -- formerly much used by the Scottish Highlander. Dirk knife, a clasp knife having a large, dirklike blade.

The root of the box tree, of which hafts for daggers were made. Gerarde (1597).

en into the hand, and by which it is held and used; -- said chiefly of a knife, sword, or dagger; the hilt. This brandish'dagger I'll bury to the haft in her fair breast. Dryden.