dagger

[ dag-er ]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to stab with or as if with a dagger.
2. Printing. to mark with a dagger.

dagger

/ ˈdæɡə /

noun

1. a short stabbing weapon with a pointed blade
2. Also calledobelisk a character (†) used in printing to indicate a cross reference, esp to a footnote
3. at daggers drawn
   in a state of open hostility
4. look daggers
   to glare with hostility; scowl

verb

1. to mark with a dagger
2. archaic.
   to stab with a dagger

Word History and Origins

Origin of dagger¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dagger¹

C14: of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

More idioms and phrases containing dagger

In addition to the idiom beginning with daggers , also see look daggers .

Example Sentences

Even the delivered dagger appeared to carry the same deadly weight.

From Los Angeles Times

Edman’s third-inning homer, with Teoscar Hernández aboard, was a bit of a dagger.

From Los Angeles Times

There was no dagger, there were no dramatics, it was just a complete and utter takeover until the Sparks ran out of life.

From Los Angeles Times

How many times did we need to see Biles’ vault, Steph Curry’s impossible “golden dagger” or Katie Ledecky swimming while balancing a glass of chocolate milk on her head?

From Los Angeles Times

Four minutes later, Morocco stuck the dagger in, with Ilias Akhomach scoring at the end of a counterattack.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bayonet
• blade
• sword