stab

stab¹ [stæb] v past tense and past participle stabbed present participle stabbing

1.) [T]

to push a knife into someone or something

→↑stabbing

▪ He was stabbed to death in a fight.

stab sb in the heart/arm etc

▪ She had been stabbed in the chest repeatedly.

2.) [I and T]

to make quick pushing movements with your finger or something pointed

= ↑jab

▪ He raised his voice and stabbed the air with his pen.

3.) stab sb in the back

to do something that harms someone who likes and trusts you

= ↑betray

stab ²

stab² n

1.) an act of stabbing or trying to stab someone with a knife

▪ severe stab wounds

▪ a stab victim

▪ He killed him with a stab to the heart.

2.) stab of fear/disappointment/pain etc

a sudden sharp feeling of pain or a strong emotion

▪ He felt a stab of guilt.

3.) stab at (doing) sth informal

an attempt to do something, often not successfully

have/make/take a stab at (doing) sth

▪ I'll have one more stab at it.

4.) stab in the back

when someone you thought was a friend tries to harm you