dagger

noun

dag·​ger ˈda-gər How to pronounce dagger (audio)
1
: a sharp pointed knife for stabbing
2
a
: something that resembles a dagger
b
: a character † used as a reference mark or to indicate a death date
daggerlike adjective
Phrases
at daggers drawn
: in a state of open hostility or conflict
look daggers or stare daggers
: to stare angrily
they looked daggers at each other across the table

Examples of dagger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That made it 21-7 and was the dagger the 49ers needed, the type of third-down conversion that proved this offense could survive without McCaffrey, Samuel and Kittle. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2024 This car is all daggers from the point of its nose to the tip of its tail, with a gobstopping eyeful of the engine right inside, thanks to the see-through panel in the back. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 9 Sep. 2024 For the second time in his career, Bulldogs star Antonio Harris completed a 2-point conversion pass to put a dagger into rival St. Xavier. Rich Barak, The Courier-Journal, 7 Sep. 2024 In handing out gift boxes with a candlestick, revolver, rope, lead pipe, wrench and dagger, Mr. Boddy has set in motion a game that by the end will leave the mansion strewn with corpses. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dagger 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dagger.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dagger was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near dagger

Cite this Entry

“Dagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dagger. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

dagger

noun
dag·​ger ˈdag-ər How to pronounce dagger (audio)
1
: a short weapon for stabbing
2
: a symbol † used in printing as a reference mark to indicate a death date
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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