stab

verb (stabs, stabbing, stabbed)

• thrust a knife or other pointed weapon into (someone) so as to wound or kill:he stabbed her in the stomach
• [no object] make a thrusting gesture or movement at something with a pointed object:she stabbed at the earth with the fork [with object]:she stabbed the air with her forefinger
• [no object] (stab into/through) (of a sharp or pointed object) violently pierce:a sharp end of wicker stabbed into his sole
• [no object] (of a pain or painful thing) cause a sudden sharp sensation:a stitch stabbed at her side (as adjective stabbing)I felt a stabbing pain in my chest

noun

• 1a thrust with a knife or other pointed weapon: [as modifier]:multiple stab wounds
• a wound made by stabbing:she had a deep stab in the back
• a thrusting movement with a finger or other pointed object:impatient stabs of his finger
• a sudden sharp feeling or pain:she felt a stab of jealousy

• 2 (stab at) informal an attempt to do (something):Meredith made a feeble stab at joining in