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

And, of course, they’re playing Luka and A.R. basketball, the two best players on this team throwing down one dagger after another, even playing better with James on the court alongside them.

From Los Angeles Times

Oliver apparently could not feel the daggers I was staring at him.

From Literature

Elliot visibly twitched at the word future, glancing around nervously before turning to stare daggers at me again.

From Literature

I saw my old grandpa flinch—just about like I always did when a wasp dabbed his fiery little dagger in me.

From Literature

The novel’s satisfying denouement is assured when a disgraced former colleague of Ben’s, gloriously named Richard Take, accepts the proverbial dagger from Martin.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bayonet
• blade
• sword