Stab (stăb), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stabbed (stăbd); p. pr. & vb. n. Stabbing.] [Cf. OD. staven to fix, fasten, fr. stave, staff, a staff, rod; akin to G. stab a staff, stick, E. staff; also Gael. stob to stab, as n., a stake, a stub. Cf. Staff.] 1. 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.
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2. Fig.: To injure secretly or by malicious falsehood or slander; as, to stab a person's reputation.
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Stab, n. 1. The thrust of a pointed weapon.
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2. A wound with a sharp-pointed weapon; as, to fall by the stab of an assassin. Shak.
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3. Fig.: An injury inflicted covertly or suddenly; as, a stab given to character.
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