dagger

American  

[dag-er] / ˈdæg ər /

noun

1. a short, swordlike weapon with a pointed blade and a handle, used for stabbing.

2. Also called obelisk.  Printing.  a mark (†) used especially for references.

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verb (used with object)

1. to stab with or as if with a dagger.

2. Printing.  to mark with a dagger.

idioms

1. look daggers at,  to look at angrily, threateningly, or with hate.

dagger British  

/ ˈdæɡə /

noun

1. a short stabbing weapon with a pointed blade

2. Also called: obelisk.  a character (†) used in printing to indicate a cross reference, esp to a footnote

3. in a state of open hostility

4. to glare with hostility; scowl

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verb

1. to mark with a dagger

2. archaic  to stab with a dagger

dagger More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing dagger

• look daggers

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Etymology

Origin of dagger

1350–1400; Middle English, probably alteration of Old French dague, of obscure origin; dag ¹

Example Sentences

One woman said: "It has been cloak and dagger throughout this whole process. We can't get a straight answer as to what has changed so drastically to allow the park to be built on?"

From BBC

Lloyd-Hall lunged at Harry with a pointed dagger, metres from where uniformed police officers were stationed.

From BBC

Lloyd-Hall, now aged 18, pushed forward and lunged at Harry with a pointed dagger, metres from where uniformed police officers were stationed.

From BBC

Inequality, they know, is a dagger to the heart of democracy — and it’s one they enthusiastically wield.

From Salon

In March he said that the controversy around Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone was like a "dagger to the heart" of BBC impartiality.

From BBC

Related Words

• bayonet
• blade
• sword