stab.html - {v. phr.}, {slang} To say or do something unfair that harms (a friend or someone who trusts you). * /Owen stabbed his friend Max in the back by telling lies about him./

stab.html - {n. phr.}, {slang} An act or a lie that hurts a friend or trusting person; a promise not kept, especially to a friend. * /John stabbed his own friend in the back by stealing from his store./ * /My friend stabbed me in the back by telling the teacher I was playing hooky when I was home sick./

stab.html - {n. phr.} A random attempt or guess at something without previous experience or knowledge of the subject. * /"You're asking me who could have hidden grandpa's will," Fred said. "I really have no idea, but let me make a stab in the dark - I think my sister Hermione has it."/

stab.html - v. & n.
--v.

(stabbed, stabbing)
1 tr. pierce or wound with a (usu. short) pointed tool or weapon e.g. a knife or dagger.
2 intr. (often foll. by at) aim a blow with such a weapon.
3 intr. cause a sensation like being stabbed (stabbing pain).
4 tr. hurt or distress (a person, feelings, conscience, etc.).
5 intr. (foll. by at) aim a blow at a person's reputation, etc.

--n.

1 a an instance of stabbing. b a blow or thrust with a knife etc.
2 a wound made in this way.
3 a blow or pain inflicted on a person's feelings.
4 colloq. an attempt, a try.

stab in the back n. a treacherous or slanderous attack.

--v.

tr. slander or betray.

stabber n. [ME: cf. dial. stob in sense 1 of v.]

stab.html - n.
1 a Latin hymn on the suffering of the Virgin Mary at the Crucifixion.
2 a musical setting for this. [the opening words, L Stabat mater dolorosa 'Stood the mother, full of grief']

stab.html - n.
a rigid, free-standing abstract sculpture or structure of wire, sheet metal, etc. [L stabilis STABLE(1), after MOBILE]