dagger

[ dag-er ]

/ ˈdæg ər /

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See synonyms for: dagger / daggers on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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

verb (used with object)

to stab with or as if with a dagger.

Printing. to mark with a dagger.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about dagger

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

Origin of dagger

1350–1400; Middle English, probably alteration of Old French dague, of obscure origin; cf. dag¹

Words nearby dagger

Dagda, Dagenham, Dagestan, Dagestan Republic, dagga, dagger, daggerboard, daggers drawn, at, daggle, daggy, daglock

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dagger in a sentence

As he sat, Paul drained a midrange dagger to silence the building.
Lakers’ title defense crumbles with Anthony Davis sidelined as Suns eliminate reigning champs|Ben Golliver|June 4, 2021|Washington Post
The number of users overwhelmed the servers and crashed the site, putting a dagger through the hearts of fans unable to check out with their coveted Strawberry Pretzel Pie.
Why’d Dolly Parton Come in Here and Crash Jeni’s Website Like That?|Jenny G. Zhang|April 9, 2021|Eater
In the summer, Pounds Hollow is a popular swimming and fishing hole, but now, with daggers of ice still dripping from the cliffs above, the lake was deserted.
A day’s drive from Chicago, exploring a very different Illinois|Carson Vaughan|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
When asked what he thought about climate change, he sunk a dagger into his father’s heart like only a child can.
The Climate Crisis Is Worse Than You Can Imagine. Here’s What Happens If You Try.|by Elizabeth Weil|January 25, 2021|ProPublica

The Terps tried to hold on without letting Michigan soar ahead, but when halftime arrived, they trailed by 17, with a three-pointer from Franz Wagner serving as the dagger before the break.
Maryland can’t keep up with No. 7 Michigan and never leads during an 87-63 loss|Emily Giambalvo|January 20, 2021|Washington Post
But there is something to be learned by the cloak-and-dagger world from Yousef and Ben Yitzhak.
When the Son of Hamas Spied for Israel|Nina Strochlic|August 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As soon as he sees her, Shae reaches for a dagger, and Tyrion pounces on her, strangling her to death with her own necklace.
Life After ‘Game of Thrones’ Death: Where to See Your Favorite Dead Characters Next|Marlow Stern|June 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The dagger tattooed on his cheek conveys a menacing persona.
The Cradle of Jazz, Blues and Gospel Endlessly Rocking|Jason Berry|April 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A rapier and a dagger found on the Thames foreshore show us that swordfights routinely broke out on the streets of London.
This Week’s Hot Reads: Sept. 30, 2013|Thomas Flynn, Jimmy So|September 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Disney's key contact was the consummate cloak-and-dagger operator, William "Wild Bill" Donovan.
How the CIA Helped Disney Conquer Florida|T.D. Allman|April 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The governor placed a dagger to his breast in order to get him to tell what he knew of his wife.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
If the hunter venture to come close to such a monster, and his dagger fail to pierce the vital spot, there is no help for him.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade
On the word, he struck Comyn with his dagger, and some of his companions completed the crime with their swords before the altar.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison
But for the dagger on which he caught its edge, the blade had assuredly pierced the captain's heart.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
He received the blow on his arm, grappled with the assassin, and throwing him on the ground despatched him with his own dagger.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell

British Dictionary definitions for dagger

dagger

/ (ˈdæɡə) /

noun

a short stabbing weapon with a pointed blade

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

at daggers drawn in a state of open hostility

look daggers to glare with hostility; scowl

verb (tr)

to mark with a dagger

archaic to stab with a dagger

Word Origin for dagger

C14: of uncertain origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with dagger

dagger

In addition to the idiom beginning with daggers

daggers drawn, at

also see:

look daggers

dagger

Idioms about dagger

Origin of dagger

Words nearby dagger

Words related to dagger

How to use dagger in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dagger

Word Origin for dagger

Other Idioms and Phrases with dagger