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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The main frame 10-pointer was cool, but a long dagger point coming off his base added a bit of flair too cool to pass up. Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 17 Oct. 2024 Fitting into that Manet moment, as well as the current dagger point of what Paris has apparently decided is the thing to do, Zoe Kravitz resolutely sees and ups the Lila Grace Moss-Hack’s black lace bet by shortening it dramatically and accelerating the general see-through-ness everywhere possible. Guy Martin, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for dagger 

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 14 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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