stab
pronunciation
How to pronounce stab in British English:
UK [stæb]
How to pronounce stab in American English:
US [stæb]
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- Noun:
- a sudden sharp feeling
- a thrusting blow with a knife or other sharp pointed instrument
- informal words for any attempt or effort
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- Verb:
- use a knife on
- stab or pierce
- poke or thrust abruptly
Word Origin
- stab (v.)
- late 14c., "thrust with a pointed weapon," first in Scottish English, apparently a dialectal variant of Scottish stob "to pierce, stab," from stob (n.), perhaps a variant of stub (n.) "stake, nail," but Barnhart finds this "doubtful." Figurative use, of emotions, etc., is from 1590s. Related: Stabbed; stabbing.
- stab (n.)
- "wound produced by stabbing," mid-15c., from stab (v.). Meaning "act of stabbing" is from 1520s. Meaning "a try" first recorded 1895, American English. Stab in the back in the figurative sense "treacherous deed" is first attested 1881; the verbal phrase in the figurative sense is from 1888.
Example
- 1. Many people can make a stab at saying why .
- 2. As president , nicolas sarkozy made a stab at reforming economics teaching .
- 3. He has compiled enough information to make a credible stab at recreating the climate of the entire planet .
- 4. Some see a spin-off as a way for news corp to make another stab at buying out bskyb .
- 5. So may the unpopular 3 % tax on goods and services introduced last year , jersey 's first stab at indirect taxation .