stab
v. · n.-
1 to pierce with a sharp object (v.) B1 Intermediateto push a knife or another sharp object into someone or something.
to pierce or wound with a pointed tool or weapon. Transitive, requiring a direct object.
ExampleHe tried to stab the piece of meat with his fork, but it was too tough.
ExampleThe attacker attempted to stab the victim with a concealed blade before being restrained by security personnel.
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2 to make a poking motion (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto push at something quickly with your finger or a pointed object.
to thrust a finger or pointed object at something in a sudden, sharp motion. Often used with the preposition 'at'.
ExampleShe used her finger to stab at the buttons on the elevator.
ExampleHe continued to stab at the touch screen in frustration, though the device had clearly frozen.
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3 an attempt (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informalan attempt to do something, especially if you are not sure you will succeed.
an informal attempt or try at a task or problem.
ExampleI don't know the answer, but I'll take a stab at it anyway.
ExampleEven though she had never repaired a car before, she decided to take a stab at fixing the alternator herself.
UsageCommonly used in the phrase 'take a stab at'.
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4 a sharp pain (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea sudden, sharp feeling of physical or emotional pain.
a sudden, intense, and brief unpleasant sensation, either physical or psychological.
ExampleShe felt a sudden stab of jealousy when she saw his new car.
ExampleA sharp stab of pain in his knee forced him to stop running and sit on the grass.
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5 a musical chord (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Musica short, loud note or chord in a piece of music used for drama.
a single staccato chord or short musical phrase used to provide dramatic emphasis or rhythmic punctuation.
ExampleThe scary movie used a loud horn stab to frighten the audience.
ExampleThe arrangement is characterized by aggressive brass stabs that punctuate the end of every lyrical phrase.
First attested in Scottish English (compare Scots stob, stobbe, stabb (“a pointed stick or stake; a thrust with a pointed weapon”)), from Middle English stabbe (“a stab”), probably a variant of Middle English stob, stub, stubbe (“pointed stick, stake, thorn, stub, stump”), from Old Norse stobbi, stubbi, cognate with Old English stybb. Cognate with Middle Dutch stobbe. Supposed by some to derive from Scottish Gaelic stob (“to prick, to prod, to push, to thrust”); supposed by others to be from a Scots word.
Clipping of stabilizer or stabiliser.
- Verbstab
- Nounstabbing