stabn.1
/stab/, U.S. /stæb/The form stappe in quot. 1583 at sense 2a may possibly be a distinct word, but has not been found elsewhere.
1. A wound produced by stabbing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > [noun] > wound > wound by sharp weapon
stabc1440
foin1543
launch1558
veny1578
stog1587
venue1591
prickado?1592
pink1601
stabado1607
sword-cut1817
stab-wound1897
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 471/1 Stabbe, or wownde of smytynge, stigma.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) ii. iii. 113 His gash'd Stabs, look'd like a Breach in Nature, For Ruines wastfull entrance. View more context for this quotation
1807 S. Cooper First Lines Pract. Surg. I. i. xvi. 71 An important punctured wound, such as the stab of a bayonet.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge vi. 269 You found me with this stab and an ugly bruise or two.
2.
a. An act of stabbing; a thrust dealt with some sharp-pointed instrument producing a wound in the flesh.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > cut of sharp weapon > [noun] > stroke with pointed weapon
stroke1297
stokea1400
foinc1450
stab1530
push1563
veny1578
stoccado1582
thrusta1586
venue1591
pink1601
longee1625
stob1653
tilt1716
lunge1748
stug1808
punzie1827
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > [noun] > wound > wound by sharp weapon > action of
stabbingc1425
goringa1513
foining1523
stab1530
stob1653
spearing1784
piking1798
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > [noun] > blow struck with an object or instrument > with something pointed
stabbingc1425
picka1522
stab1530
prog1821
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 275/1 Stabbe with a daggar, covp destoc.
1583 T. Stocker tr. Tragicall Hist. Ciuile Warres Lowe Countries iv. 58 b After he was dead, the enemie gaue hym many a stappe with his dagger.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iii. iii. 63 The Elements..Of whom your swords are temper'd, may as well..with bemockt-at-Stabs Kill the still closing waters, as [etc.].
1644 E. Dering Disc. Proper Sacrifice b iiij b A young fellow..did aim the stabbe of his knife into the Kings belly.
1722 D. Defoe Moll Flanders 231 A Stab that touch'd the Vitals.
1748 J. Hervey Medit. among Tombs in Medit. & Contempl. (ed. 4) I. 30 A poysonous Draught, or a deadly Stab.
1830 Ld. Tennyson Oriana 50 Oh! deathful stabs were dealt apace.
1867 F. Francis Bk. Angling iii. 80 Master Perch..will..resent rough..handling by a sharp stab or two.
b. figurative.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Richard III (1623) iii. ii. 83 This sudden stab [1597 scab] of Rancour I misdoubt.
1742 J. Wesley Princ. Methodist To Rdr. After many Stabs in the Dark, I was publickly attack'd..by my own familiar Friend.
1796 E. Burke Let. to Mrs. Crewe in Corr. IV. 335 A stab was attempted on my reputation.
1894 S. J. Weyman Man in Black 201 This stab, that a little earlier would have pierced her very heart-strings, did but prick her.
1909 E. Rickert Beggar in Heart 24 She remembered, with a stab of pain, the quiver in his voice.
c. the stab: death by stabbing. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > manner of death > [noun] > violent death > others
the stab1610
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 124 With two arguments goeth about to give them the deadly stab.
1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor vii, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. II. 133 To kill one [raven] in their presence, is such bad luck that it deserves the stab.
1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn II. xxxviii. 48 Life—death—to-morrow; the rudis or the stab? Which shall it be?
d. transferred. A vigorous thrust as if to stab some one.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking in specific manner > [noun] > striking with pushing action > a thrusting blow
sparc1540
job1560
push1563
thrusta1586
poss1611
jub1688
peg1728
jab1825
stab1902
1902 M. Barnes-Grundy Thames Camp 196 Sewing is rather restful; and you can give such vent to your feelings with each stab of the needle.
e. figurative. A flash of bright colour against dark surroundings.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > variegation > patch of colour > [noun] > splash of colour
dash1713
splash1832
stab1894
splatter1969
1894 Superfl. Woman (ed. 4) III. 4 The moving stabs of colour in passing trams and other vehicles.
1903 Speaker 17 Oct. 64/2 The blackbird in his jet-black dress, the stab of colour of his bill accentuating the hue.
f. In colloquial phrase to make (or have, etc.) a stab at (something) , to try, attempt; to make a shot at. Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > attempt [verb (transitive)]
fandOE
assayc1300
tryc1315
provec1330
adventurea1387
sayc1390
paina1400
havec1400
practisea1450
afforcec1487
afond1488
attempta1538
procure1574
endeavour1581
offer1611
poacha1616
attent1620
to venture at1623
essay1641
attentate1656
smacka1657
tempt1697
to try at1794
to have a go1802
to make a (good, poor, etc.) fist1833
tackle1847
to have or take a whack at1891
to make (or have, etc.) a stab at (something)1895
to have a dash (at)1916
1895 W. C. Gore in Inlander Dec. 115 Stab, to make a, to make a blind attempt to answer a question.
1908 K. McGaffey Sorrows of Show Girl 235 I..made a stab for the rail.
1915 P. G. Wodehouse Something Fresh xi. 315 ‘I do wish that this time you would endeavour..not to make a fool of yourself.’.. ‘I'll have a jolly good stab at it, governor.’
1930 J. Galsworthy Roof vi. 96 D'you think you'll be able to travel the day after to-morrow?.. I'll have a good stab at it, as my more genial colleagues say.
1940 ‘N. Shute’ Old Captivity x. 294 We may have to come back again... But I think we'll have a stab at it.
1961 Press Jrnl. Apr. 10/3 Let's say you're going to take a stab at writing up the annual office picnic.
1973 ‘S. Woods’ Enter Corpse 113 ‘Now that,’ said Nelson, ‘I can't believe.’ ‘You might have a stab at it,’ Maitland suggested, ‘It happens to be true.’
1980 W. Maxwell So Long, see you Tomorrow (1981) ii. 7 She may have made a stab at being a mother to my older brother and me.
g. In figurative phrase stab in the back, a treacherous deed. Cf. sense 1g of the verb.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > undutifulness > treachery > [noun] > a treacherous act
treacheryc1300
treasonc1330
Sinonism1864
double-cross1896
stab in the back1922
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses iii. xvi. [Eumaeus] 591 That stab in the back touch was quite in keeping with those Italianos.
1934 R. H. Lutz Causes of German Collapse in 1918 v. 132 (heading) The ‘stab-in-the-back’ question.
1934 R. H. Lutz tr. von Kuhl in Causes of German Collapse in 1918 v. 132 Some maintain that we lost the war owing to the stab in the back administered to the Army by those at home... On the other side the ‘stab-in-the-back legend’ is rejected as ‘one of the most malignant and..stupidest legends’.
1953 J. W. Wheeler-Bennett Nemesis of Power i. i. 67 For several days before his actual appearance..Hindenburg was closeted with..the extreme Nationalist leaders. In this brief period was crystallized the legend of the ‘stab-in-the-back’, in justification of which many innocent Germans were to suffer when the National Socialists came to power.
1953 J. W. Wheeler-Bennett Nemesis of Power i. i. 67 The Marshal [sc. Hindenburg] testified..on November 18... He..addressed himself to the German people. Their defeat, he told them, was not attributable to the Army but to the civilian demoralization and disunion. The irreproachable Army had received a ‘stab-in-the-back’ (Dolchstoss) from the Revolution.
1959 Times 21 Oct. 13/4 Professor Nordhoff, the managing director of Volkswagen, reacted as if he were the victim of another stab-in-the-back legend.
1971 A. Bullock 20th Cent. 25/1 Our knowledge of the recent past..will be based on hear-say, myths (‘the Stab in the Back’, for instance).
h. Bacteriology. = stab-culture.
ΚΠ
1900 Jrnl. Exper. Med. 5 80 The early surface-growth in the glucose agar stab presents a whitish, heaped up centre.
3. Billiards. A short, stiff stroke which causes the striker's ball to remain dead or to travel but slowly after striking the object ball; more fully stab stroke; hence stab cannon, stab screw, a cannon or screw made with this stroke.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > billiards, pool, or snooker > [noun] > actions or types of play > type of stroke
hazard1674
carambole1775
carom1779
cannon1802
screw1825
sidestroke1834
following stroke1837
cannonade1844
five-stroke1847
follow1850
scratch1850
fluke1857
jenny1857
bank shot1859
angle shot1860
draw shot1860
six-stroke1861
run-through1862
spot1868
quill1869
dead-stroke1873
loser1873
push1873
push stroke1873
stab1873
stab screw1873
draw1881
force1881
plant1884
anchor cannon1893
massé1901
angle1902
cradle-cannon1907
pot1907
jump shot1909
carry-along1913
snooker1924
1873 J. Bennett & ‘Cavendish’ Billiards 192 There is another screw stroke called stab screw... If the striker desires to stop his own ball dead as soon as it strikes the object ball full,..the object is to be attained by means of stab.
1873 J. Bennett & ‘Cavendish’ Billiards 281 The best chance left is a stab cannon... The effect of the stab..is to carry the white slowly on to the spot-white.
1885 Billiards Simplified (1889) 157 The way to play the stroke is by means of what is known as a stab stroke.
4. Oil Industry. (See quot. 1975.)
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > drilling for oil or gas > [noun] > other procedures
jar1865
run1880
round trip1900
shooting1914
swabbing1921
underreaming1922
acidization1934
squeeze cementing1938
mud logging1960
re-entry1961
stab1972
upending1976
1972 L. M. Harris Introd. Deepwater Floating Drilling Operations xii. 133 The integral marine-riser system has the choke and kill lines installed on the riser joints so that they are simultaneously stabbed and made up during the stab and make up of the marine-riser connector.
1975 L. Crook Oil Terms 106 Stab, the operation of guiding one end of a pipe into the connection of another pipe to ‘make up’ a connection.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
stab-like adj.
ΚΠ
1887 C. Tyrrell tr. E. Werner Her Son I. 79 The contemptuous glance of those eyes penetrated with a stab-like pain to his heart's core.
C2.
stab-and-drag n. Archaeology a technique of ceramic decoration whereby a point is drawn along the surface of a pot and pushed in deeper at intervals (usually attributive).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > decoration of china > [noun] > relief or incised decoration
bianco sopra bianco1856
pâte-sur-pâte1879
scratched blue1883
sprigging1906
rilling1923
scratch blue1924
stab-and-drag1931
rouletting1937
1931 V. G. Childe in Archæol. Jrnl. 88 47 Handles and flat bases first make their appearance in Fort Harrouard II. In the same levels the fine incision of the early Chassey style gives place to deep incision, or stab-and-drag.
1931 S. Piggott in Archæol. Jrnl. 88 78 Stab-and-drag lines—made with a point that is drawn along the clay and pushed in deeper at intervals—occur only on certain Scottish pots, e.g., from Unstan.
1954 S. Piggott Neolithic Cultures Brit. Isles vii. 204 Certain vessels with stab-and-drag motifs.
1978 Proc. Prehistoric Soc. 44 276 Decorated wall-sherd; fine vertical stab and drag lines.
stab-awl n. a shoemaker's tool used for piercing leather.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > tailoring or making clothes > making footwear > [noun] > equipment or materials for > equipment > awl
awlc1000
St. Crispin's lance1650
pegging awla1700
stab-awl1840
1840 Life Adam Clarke iv. 94 He borrowed a stab awl and a hammer from a shoe maker.
stab-cannon n. (see sense 3).
stab-culture n. a culture n. (culture n. 3) in which the medium is inoculated by means of a needle thrust deeply into its substance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > laboratory analysis > material > [noun] > culture or medium
culture1880
blood culture1881
cultivation1881
culture medium1883
pure culture1883
agar1885
broth1885
subculture1885
tube-culture1886
bouillon1887
stab-culture1889
streak culture1892
blood agar1893
microculture1893
shake culture1894
streak plate1895
broth culture1897
slant1899
plating1900
stock culture1903
touch preparation1908
tissue culture1912
plaque1924
slope1925
agar-agar1929
isolate1931
MacConkey1938
auxanogram1949
lawn1951
monolayer1952
replica plate1952
1889 Science 20 Dec. 418 The mere production of a direct stab-culture from one organ, such as the spleen..affords very incomplete..information.
stab-rag n. slang a tailor.
ΚΠ
1841 Punch 21 Aug. 65/1 The buttons on the jacket, and the button-holes..would baffle the criticism of the most hyper-fastidious stab-rag.
1865 Slang Dict. Stab-rag, a regimental tailor.—Military slang.
stab-screw n. (see sense 3).
stab-stitch n. Needlework (see quot. 1964); hence as v. transitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > sewn or ornamented textile fabric > [noun] > sewing or work sewn > stitch > other
accrue1725
gobble stitch1788
seam-stitch1825
marking stitch1861
dot1882
seam1882
basket-darning1884
basting1885
bridle1885
padding stitch1913
stab-stitch1917
tuck-stitch1926
prick stitch1928
fishbone-stitch1932
pad stitch1964
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > sewing or ornamenting textile fabric > sew or ornament textile fabric [verb (transitive)] > sew > other
to take up1620
fell1758
cross-stitch1794
strand1894
prick-stitch1895
stab-stitch1917
lockstitch1919
1917 E. R. Hambridge Simple Dressmaking i. 7/2 Back stitches should be frequent in stab tacking... Cf. Fig. 28 for stab stitch, which is similarly worked.
1917 E. R. Hambridge Simple Dressmaking i. 10/1 Running, run-stitching, and half back-stitching can also be stab-stitched, but strong thread or silk should be employed.
c1951 Glovemaking (Dryad Leaflet 31) 6 A hand-made glove..is almost always sewn on the right side, and various stitches can be used. The most popular of these is the ‘prix’ or stab-stitch.
1964 McCall's Sewing in Colour ii. 32/2 Stab-stitch a stitch in which the needle is brought in and out of the fabric at right angles.
1976 Woman's Weekly 6 Nov. 42/3 Stab-stitch the boots together in pairs.
stab-stitching n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > sewing or ornamenting textile fabric > [noun] > sewing > sewing in other ways
hemminga1300
back-stitch1611
buttonholing1828
felling1840
pintucking1903
stab-stitching1917
prick-stitching1952
bar tack1955
bar-tacking1959
pad stitching1960
1917 E. R. Hambridge Simple Dressmaking i. 10/1 Stab-stitching..is back-stitching, but worked with the needle placed vertically through the material..instead of horizontally.
1932 D. C. Minter Mod. Needlecraft 159/2 Stab stitching..close to the fold of the felt..may be employed.
stab-stroke n. (see sense 3).
stab-wort n. the wood sorrel ( Oxalis acetosella), believed to be so called with reference to its supposed healing properties (also stobwort n., stubwort n.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Oxalidaceae (wood-sorrel and allies) > [noun]
sorrel de boysa1400
wood-soura1400
hallelujahc1425
cuckoobread1526
cuckoo's meat1526
wood sorrel1526
stubwort1541
sour trefoil1578
stobwort1597
salad sorrel1611
French sorrel1633
three-leaved grass1634
stab-wort1640
lujula1651
oxalis1706
goat's foot1787
sour grass1866
sour-sop1885
soursob1907
1640 J. Parkinson Theatrum Botanicum 747 We [call it] in English Wood Sorrell..Stabbewort.
1665 R. Lovell Παμβοτανολογια (ed. 2) 419 Stubwort or Stabwort, see Wood sorrell.
stab-wound n. a punctured wound produced by an act or the action of stabbing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > [noun] > wound > wound by sharp weapon
stabc1440
foin1543
launch1558
veny1578
stog1587
venue1591
prickado?1592
pink1601
stabado1607
sword-cut1817
stab-wound1897
1897 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 27 Mar. 774 A stab wound in the right loin.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
stabn.2
/stab/, U.S. /stæb/, Scottish English /stab/ Scottish and dialect.
1. A stake, a wooden post. stab and rice = stake and rice at stake n.1 2a: see stab and stow: completely, entirely.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > completely [phrase]
high and low1397
every (also ilk, ilka) stick?a1400
root and rind?a1400
hair and hide?c1450
stout and routc1450
bane and routc1480
overthwart and endlonga1500
(in) hide and hairc1575
right out1578
horse and footc1600
flesh and fella1616
root and branch1640
stab and stow1680
stoop and roop1728
stick, stock, stone dead1796
rump and stump1824
stump and rump1825
rump and rig1843
good and1885
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > that which or one who closes or shuts > a barrier > [noun] > hedge or fence > a fence > a paling > a stake
pale board1483
garden pale1591
stab1680
paling1820
stake1897
1680 Inventory in Scott. Notes & Queries IX. 95 Ane wall of stab and ryce..ane chimnay of stab and ryce.
1722 W. Hamilton Life of Sir William Wallace x. iii. 259 Who set their Lodgings all in a fair Low, About their Ears, and burnt them Stab and Stow.
1821 J. Galt Ann. Parish vi. 70 The plantations supplied him with stabs to make stake and rice between his fields.
1842 J. Aiton Domest. Econ. (1857) 160 The minister of a village..requested that a wall should be built round his glebe. ‘Would stabs and railings not answer the purpose equally well?’ asked one present.
1907 E. Frazer Clodhopper i. ii. 8 They've drawn the loosened paling stab.
2. A stump.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > part of tree or woody plant > [noun] > stump
stock862
moreeOE
stub967
zuche1358
stumpc1440
scrag1567
stool1577
brock1772
stow1774
hagsnar1796
stab1807
spronk1838
tree stool1898
1807 Howlett in A. Young Gen. View Agric. Essex I. vi. 180 As soon as the hedge is cut down, most of which [is] within an inch or two of the old stabb.
1807 Howlett in A. Young Gen. View Agric. Essex I. vi. 180 With the young shoots of the parts cut off close to the stabbs.
3. A block (of wood, etc.) used as a seat.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > seat > [noun] > other seats
desk1560
seat-arch1703
window seat1715
podium1722
sunkie1788
stab1805
screen1820
porch swing1891
club-fender1915
stuff-over1915
1805 G. McIndoe Poems & Songs 10 The seat, a stab, the heel-pins rotten.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
stabn.3
/stab/, U.S. /stæb/ dialect.
(See quot. 1838.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > order Lagomorpha (rabbits and hares) > [noun] > family Leporidae > genus Oryctolagus (rabbit) > burrow or warren
clapperc1400
cunnigar1424
warrena1425
coneygarth1429
coney-close?1472
coney hole?c1475
berry1486
coney holda1500
coney-clapper1530
coney yard1532
coneyry1570
coney burrow1575
coney gratec1580
coney-gat1591
coney green1599
coney warren1616
coney ground1617
rabbit hole1667
stop1669
rabbit burrow1723
stock1736
rabbit warren1766
stab1838
warrener1864
1838 W. Holloway Gen. Dict. Provincialisms Stab, a hole in the ground, in which the female rabbit secures her litter while they are very young.
1875 W. D. Parish Dict. Sussex Dial. at Stalled The old dog..found a stab out in the field.
1888 Sat. Rev. 5 May 530/2 The rat..will draw the young rabbits out of the ‘stabs’.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
stabn.4
/stab/, U.S. /stæb/ Printing slang.
= establishment n. 10. Also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to conditions > [noun] > employee > collectively
personal1818
personnel1819
staff1837
stab1864
staff-room1925
staff1955
liveware1966
1864 J. C. Hotten Slang Dict. (new ed.) (at cited word) On the stab.
1875 J. Southward Dict. Typogr. (ed. 2) 128 A man who is ‘on 'stab’ receives establishment wages.
1888 C. T. Jacobi Printers' Vocab. 130 Stab, a term applied to establishment hands, i.e. workmen paid by the week and not by piece-work.
1890 Sc. Leader 10 June 5 Fleming was known as a stab man, as opposed to a man who was paid by the result of his labours.
1890 Sc. Leader 10 June 6 When he was dismissed he was a society-man, and was paid a stab wage of £2 3s a week.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
stabn.5
/stab/, U.S. /stæb/ Medicine.
Used attributively and absol. to designate white blood cells characterized by a nucleus in the form of a single bent or twisted rod (originally regarded as abnormal forms).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > disorders of blood > [noun] > abnormal white cell
stab1929
the world > life > the body > vascular system > blood > components of blood > blood corpuscle or plate > [noun] > white cells or corpuscles
white corpuscle1823
white cell1852
leucocyte1870
phagocyte1884
macrophage1887
microphage1887
lymphocyte1890
megakaryocyte1890
hyaline cell1894
macrophagocyte1896
microphagocyte1896
scavenger-cell1899
splenocyte1900
polymorph1902
granulocyte1906
lymphoblast1909
agranulocyte1913
monocyte1913
stab1929
hyaline leucocyte1931
smudge cell1937
heterophile1938
siderophage1941
1929 R. B. H. Gradwohl tr. V. Schilling Blood Pict. ii. 128 The neutrophilic degenerative stab or staff forms are not present in the normal blood picture.
1929 R. B. H. Gradwohl tr. V. Schilling Blood Pict. ii. 135 They [sc. degenerative forms] are practically insignificant, with the exception of the stabs..which deserve special mention as a degenerative phenomenon in the nuclear shift.
1938 W. Magner Textbk. Hematol. v. 79 Schilling divides the neutrophile leukocytes into the following classes. (1) Myelocytes. (2) Juvenile leukocytes or metamyelocytes. (3) Stab, staff or rod-nuclear cells.
1972 W. J. Williams et al. Hematol. iii. 27/2 (heading) Band form or stab cell.
1972 W. J. Williams et al. Hematol. lxvi. 562/2 The stab is the least mature cell of the granulocytic series found in the peripheral blood of normal persons.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
stabv.
/stab/, U.S. /stæb/ 1. † b. to stab (a person) in = sense 1. Obsolete.† e. slang. (See quot. a1661) Obsolete.† f. With obscene reference. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To wound (often to kill) with a thrust of a pointed weapon (chiefly, with a short weapon, as a dagger). Phrase, to stab to (†at, into) the heart.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > by stabbing or cutting
snithec725
ofstingeOE
stickOE
to sting to death13..
to put (do) to the sword1338
throata1382
to strike dead, to (the) deathc1390
hewc1400
stab1530
to stab (a person) in1530
poniard1593
stiletto1613
jugulate1623
kris1625
dagger1694
pike1787
to cut down1821
sword1863
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > wound > wound with sharp weapon
woundc760
stickOE
snese?c1225
stokea1300
steekc1300
bearc1330
stangc1340
chop1362
broach1377
foinc1380
strikec1390
borea1400
dag?a1400
gorea1400
gridea1400
staira1400
through-girdc1405
thrustc1410
runc1425
to run throughc1425
traversec1425
spitc1430
through-seeka1500
stitch1527
falchiona1529
stab1530
to stab (a person) in1530
stob?1530
rutc1540
rove?c1550
push1551
foxa1566
stoga1572
poniard1593
dirk1599
bestab1600
poach1602
stiletto1613
stocka1640
inrun1653
stoccado1677
dagger1694
whip1699
bayonetc1700
tomahawk1711
stug1722
chiv1725
kittle1786
sabre1790
halberd1825
jab1825
skewer1837
sword1863
poke1866
spear1869
whinger1892
pig-stick1902
shiv1926
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > cut of sharp weapon > cut or penetrate (of weapon) [verb (transitive)] > strike with pointed weapon
prickOE
pritchOE
snese?c1225
threstc1275
stokea1300
bearc1330
stangc1340
broach1377
foinc1380
borea1400
dag?a1400
gorea1400
gridea1400
slot?a1400
staira1400
through-girdc1405
thrustc1410
runc1425
to run throughc1425
traversec1425
spitc1430
through-seeka1500
to run in1509
stab1530
to stab (a person) in1530
accloy1543
push1551
stoga1572
poacha1616
stocka1640
stoccado1677
stug1722
kittle1820
skewer1837
pitchfork1854
poke1866
chib1973
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 731/2 He stabbyd hym with a daggar.
1592 T. Kyd Spanish Trag. iv. sig. I4v She..Did stab her selfe.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus v. ii. 47 Stab them, or teare them on thy Chariot wheeles. View more context for this quotation
1605 in W. H. Stevenson Rec. Borough Nottingham (1889) IV. 276 A dagger to stabbe and kill Hugh Lenton.
1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper iii. 201 Iohn Iames..did stab into the breast Peter Heywood Esquire.
1678 N. Wanley Wonders Little World v. i. §100. 468/2 Henry the fourth King of France was stab'd by Ravilliac.
1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. i. 7 Stabbed to the heart by the hand of a Villain.
1713 J. Addison Cato iii. ii Think, thou seest thy dying brother Stabb'd at his heart.
1718 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1902) VI. 247 A Stag..meeting a Man as he was running along, he stabbed him with his Horns.
1764 Museum Rusticum IV. 33 Some Remarks on stabbing Cattle hoved with Clover.
1780 J. Burrow Rep. Court King's Bench 5 2795 John Taylor instantly..stabbed the said James Smith.
1830 Ld. Tennyson Oriana 55 They should have stabb'd me where I lay.
1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn II. xlv. 111 Scipio..stabbed himself.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > by stabbing or cutting
snithec725
ofstingeOE
stickOE
to sting to death13..
to put (do) to the sword1338
throata1382
to strike dead, to (the) deathc1390
hewc1400
stab1530
to stab (a person) in1530
poniard1593
stiletto1613
jugulate1623
kris1625
dagger1694
pike1787
to cut down1821
sword1863
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > wound > wound with sharp weapon
woundc760
stickOE
snese?c1225
stokea1300
steekc1300
bearc1330
stangc1340
chop1362
broach1377
foinc1380
strikec1390
borea1400
dag?a1400
gorea1400
gridea1400
staira1400
through-girdc1405
thrustc1410
runc1425
to run throughc1425
traversec1425
spitc1430
through-seeka1500
stitch1527
falchiona1529
stab1530
to stab (a person) in1530
stob?1530
rutc1540
rove?c1550
push1551
foxa1566
stoga1572
poniard1593
dirk1599
bestab1600
poach1602
stiletto1613
stocka1640
inrun1653
stoccado1677
dagger1694
whip1699
bayonetc1700
tomahawk1711
stug1722
chiv1725
kittle1786
sabre1790
halberd1825
jab1825
skewer1837
sword1863
poke1866
spear1869
whinger1892
pig-stick1902
shiv1926
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > cut of sharp weapon > cut or penetrate (of weapon) [verb (transitive)] > strike with pointed weapon
prickOE
pritchOE
snese?c1225
threstc1275
stokea1300
bearc1330
stangc1340
broach1377
foinc1380
borea1400
dag?a1400
gorea1400
gridea1400
slot?a1400
staira1400
through-girdc1405
thrustc1410
runc1425
to run throughc1425
traversec1425
spitc1430
through-seeka1500
to run in1509
stab1530
to stab (a person) in1530
accloy1543
push1551
stoga1572
poacha1616
stocka1640
stoccado1677
stug1722
kittle1820
skewer1837
pitchfork1854
poke1866
chib1973
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 731/2 I stabbe in with a dagger or any other scharpe wepyn, je enferre.
1561 T. Norton & T. Sackville Gorboduc iv. ii. 190 While slumbring on his carefull bed he restes His hart stabde in with knife is reft of life.
1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus Confossus..wounded: stabbed in.
1587 J. Higgins Mirour for Magistrates (new ed.) C. Iulius Cæsar xlix Hee stabde mee in, and so with daggers did the rest.
1587 Golding De Mornay (1592) xii. 173 This proud Peacocke [Cæsar]..is in one day stabbed in with infinite wounds.
c. figurative.
Π
1686 A. Horneck Crucified Jesus xxiv. 803 If he have often stabbed his neighbours by slanders.
1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 617 'Tis universal soldiership has stabb'd The heart of merit in the meaner class.
1813 P. B. Shelley Queen Mab iii. 41 He fabricates The sword which stabs his peace.
c1850 J. R. Lowell Legend of Brittany ii. xxiv Her silence stabbed his conscience through and through.
d. transferred. In various occasional uses.
Π
a1652 R. Brome Queen & Concubine iii. viii. 64 in Five New Playes (1659) Thou hear'st me say, I dare not speak her name, Yet thou dar'st stab mine Ears again, with it.
a1711 T. Ken Psyche in Wks. (1721) IV. 234 As the Morning Cloud decays, When stab'd by the encroaching Rays.
a1800 Dk. Athole's Nurse xi, in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1890) IV. vii. 152 O they stabbed the feather-bed all round and round.
1834 M. Edgeworth Helen II. ix. 189 When they had stabbed the cushions, and torn the inside of my carriage all to pieces.
1895 Outing 26 40/2 Fireflies stabbed the gloom with their darting flame.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > hang [verb (transitive)]
hangc1000
anhangOE
forhangc1300
to loll up1377
gallowa1400
twitchc1450
titc1480
truss1536
beswinga1566
trine1567
to turn over1570
to turn off1581
to turn (a person) on the toe1594
to stretch1595
derrick1600
underhang1603
halter1616
staba1661
noose1664
alexander1666
nub1673
ketch1681
tuck1699
gibbet1726
string1728
scrag1756
to hang up1771
crap1773
patibulate1811
strap1815
swing1816
croak1823
yardarm1829
to work off1841
suspercollatea1863
dangle1887
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Dorset 278 Stab'd with a Byrdport Dagger. That is, hang'd... The best..Hemp..growing about Byrdport.
Π
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. i. 15 He stabd me in mine owne house. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) i. ii. 274.
g. In figurative phrase to stab (a person, etc.) in the back, to harm or damage in a treacherous manner. Cf. back-stabber n.
ΘΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > undutifulness > treachery > be a traitor to [verb (transitive)]
treason13..
betraisec1374
to play a person foul1799
double-cross1889
to stab (a person, etc.) in the back1916
two-time1959
1916 G. B. Shaw in N.Y. Times Mag. 9 Apr. 2/2 The cry that ‘England's Difficulty Is Ireland's Opportunity’ is raised in the old senseless, spiteful way as a recommendation to stab England in the back when she is fighting some one else.
1932 R. Kipling Limits & Renewals 384 He makes my job ten times more difficult than it need be..stabs me in the back with his crazy schemes for betterment.
1956 N. Nicolson Diary 4 Nov. in Diaries & Lett. H. Nicolson (1968) 315 I did not want to publish any letter until the crisis in Egypt had ended, as otherwise I might be accused of stabbing the troops in the back.
1979 F. Olbrich Sweet & Deadly viii. 91 All these years with me he's been completely honest and now he stabs me in the back.
2. figurative.1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. iii. 237 Thou hidst a thousand daggers in thy thoughts,..To stab at halfe an hower of my life. View more context for this quotation1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing ii. i. 232 She speakes poynyards, and euery word stabbes . View more context for this quotation1762 R. Lloyd Epist. to C. Churchill 14 Critics of old..Boldly persu'd the free decisive task, Nor stabb'd, conceal'd beneath a ruffian's mask.1769 W. Draper in ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) I. xxvi. 189 Suspicion is the foul weapon with which you..stab.1871 J. R. Macduff Memories of Patmos xxi. 290 They stab at their neighbour's good name and reputation.1883 Harper's Mag. Feb. 352/2 The baffled sun stabs wildly at the gale.† b. Scottish. To make thrusts with a staff or club.
a. absol. and intransitive. To use a pointed weapon to wound or kill.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > be killed [verb (intransitive)] > by stab or cut
stab1487
sword1863
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (intransitive)] > wound > wound with sharp weapon
stab1487
jab1827
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > cut of sharp weapon > strike with sharp weapon [verb (intransitive)] > strike with pointed weapon
beakc1300
pushc1390
foin?a1400
stab1487
stogc1590
voine1596
thrust1598
chib1962
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xix. 565 Thai stabbit, stekit, and thai slew.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xix. 545 Than suld the laiff that forouth ar Stab doune with speres sturdely.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. i. 13 It may chaunce cost some of vs our liues, for he will stabbe . View more context for this quotation
1607 T. Tomkis Lingua ii. i If they heare my name abused, they stab for my sake.
1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Palamon & Arcite iii, in Fables 67 None shall dare With shortned Sword to stab in closer War.
a1822 P. B. Shelley Masque of Anarchy (1832) lxxxiv. 43 Let them ride among you there; Slash, and stab, and maim, and hew.
1850 Ld. Tennyson Princess (ed. 3) Concl. 174 The little boys begin to shoot and stab.
1887 A. C. Gunter Mr. Barnes xxiii. 178 ‘My husband's body lies behind those curtains!’ She stands with uplifted arm a moment, pointing to the draperies through which Tomasso has stabbed.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of striking with specific blunt weapon > use specific blunt weapon [verb (intransitive)]
martela1449
stab1513
polec1645
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking in specific manner > strike in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > strike with pushing action
stokea1400
thrustc1410
joba1500
stab1513
rasha1522
purr1564
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid iii. x. 6 Poliphemus..A monstir..Wanting his sycht, and com to stab and graip With his burdoun, that wes the greit fir tre [L. trunca manum pinus regit et vestigia firmat].
c. To suffer a ‘stab’ of pain.Apparently an isolated use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > types of pain > suffer or cause type of pain [verb (intransitive)] > shoot or stab > suffer sudden pain
twinge1640
stab1865
1865 A. Thomas On Guard III. xxxix The reels of cotton danced aloud within it, making Stanley's head stab.
d. To make a hole through something. Also figurative, to pierce like a pointed weapon.
ΘΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > making holes or becoming holed > become or make perforated [verb (intransitive)] > make (a) hole(s) > with something sharp > as a sharp instrument
biteOE
rivec1275
piercea1325
thringc1330
soundc1374
thirlc1374
lancec1400
racea1420
entail1590
empierce1797
stab1897
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > making holes or becoming holed > make (an opening or hole) [verb (transitive)] > make an opening or hole in or into > bore, pierce, or perforate > with something sharp-pointed > pierce or penetrate as a sharp thing
biteOE
delve?c1225
attamec1314
piercec1325
thrillc1330
ficche1388
traverse1477
through1578
splinter1821
stab1897
1897 R. Kipling Captains Courageous v, in McClure's Mag. Jan. 231/2 The fore-gaff stabbed and ripped through the staysail.
1920 R. Macaulay Potterism vi. v. 259 Gideon's fate pilloried on that placard had stabbed through him.
1946 D. C. Peattie Road of Naturalist (U.K. ed.) ii. 33 Outside our mortal dusty sphere, Canopus must be a horrible, blinding searchlight stabbing through a black and icy void.
3. transitive. To thrust (a weapon) into a person.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > cut of sharp weapon > cut or penetrate (of weapon) [verb (transitive)] > strike with pointed weapon > thrust a pointed weapon
putc1275
shovec1275
rivec1330
stickc1390
stub1576
haft1582
uphilt1582
gar1587
embosom1590
emboss1590
flesh1590
imbrue1590
stabc1610
scour1613
c1610 S. Rowlands Terrible Battell 10 I stab'd my dart, thus deepe into his side.
1639 S. Du Verger tr. J.-P. Camus Admirable Events 250 Liberat..gets upon him, stabs his poignard three or foure times in his belly.
1912 19th Cent. Dec. 1195 Women stab the daggers to their throats immediately.
4. To prick. Now dialect. Cf. stob v.1
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > making holes or becoming holed > make (an opening or hole) [verb (transitive)] > make an opening or hole in or into > bore, pierce, or perforate > with something sharp-pointed > prick
prickOE
pointa1425
joba1500
birlc1540
punct1548
nib1558
pounce1570
punge1570
stab1570
reprick1611
jaga1700
barb1803
jab1825
rowel1891
pinprick1909
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Ai/1 To Stab, pricke, pungere, stimulare.
1864 J. Rogers New Rush ii. 33 [He may] stab himself upon a Porcupine.
5. To hammer or pick (a hard surface) with a sharp tool, to roughen (a wall) with a pick before applying a coat of plaster.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > surfacing or cladding > clad or cover [verb (transitive)] > plaster > processes involved in plastering
litter1559
gauge1686
to prick up1779
key1837
stab1846
1846 Penny Cycl. Suppl. II. 431/1 The surface of the brickwork must be stabbed or picked over to make it rough.
6. Bookbinding. To pierce (a collection of sheets) in order to make a hole for a binding thread or wire; to fasten the sheets of (a pamphlet, etc.) together in this way instead of by sewing.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > book > manufacture or production of books > book-binding > bind [verb (transitive)] > stitch
stitch1566
sew1637
stab1863
oversew1864
overcast1880
saddle-stitch1904
1863 Reader 21 Nov. 600/1 Nor even stitched like a book, but ‘stabbed’ as an auction catalogue now is.
1888 C. T. Jacobi Printers' Vocab. 130 Stabbed, a form of stitching by piercing or stabbing, used mostly for cheap pamphlet work.
1901 19th Cent. Apr. 662 When enough sheets have been brought together they are stabbed at the open ends and form a volume.
7. Oil Industry. To guide (a length of pipe) so as to connect it properly to another member.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > drilling for oil or gas > drill for oil or gas [verb (transitive)] > other procedures
to fang a pump, (loosely) a well1819
to rack up1839
shootc1870
torpedo1873
pull1895
sidetrack1906
swab1916
stab1922
re-enter1937
rack1949
1922 [implied in: F. M. Towl in D. T. Day Handbk. Petroleum Industry I. 410 The joint is lifted into place, and a man, the ‘stabber’, standing by the end of the joint with a handspike, moves the joint until it is straight with the last joint laid. (at stabber n. 1d)].
1932 Amer. Speech 7 271 Stab, to guide (pipe) in making connections so that the threads engage properly.
1948 Petroleum Handbk. (ed. 3) v. 85 As the empty elevator hook is hoisted the derrick man latches in a stand as it passes his level. The stand is picked up and ‘stabbed’ into the tool joint at the rotary table.
1976 Offshore Platforms & Pipelining 6/3 Only one pile add-on will have to be stabbed and welded to drive the sleeve piles.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1c1440
n.21680n.31838n.41864n.51929v.1487