dagger

noun

dag·​ger ˈda-gər 

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

ˈda-gər-ˌlīk 

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

The design featured a cream dress with gold accents, including a sacred heart chest plate (pierced with tiny daggers) and an ombré blue headpiece with wings. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 7 May 2024

Murray drilled two game-winners to beat the Lakers: a ridiculous fadeaway over Anthony Davis in Game 2 and the dagger in Game 5 while playing on a bum calf. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 5 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dagger

• cloak-and-dagger
• double dagger

Kids Definition

dagger

noun

dag·​ger ˈdag-ər 

1

: a short weapon for stabbing

2

: a symbol † used in printing as a reference mark to indicate a death date