Definition

1. Noun:
   • A short knife with a sharp point: A dagger is a weapon designed primarily for stabbing or thrusting. It typically features a double-edged blade and a pointed tip.
   • A reference mark (†): In printing and typography, a dagger is a symbol (†) used to indicate a footnote, cross-reference, or a deceased person.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Weapon):
  • The museum displayed a medieval dagger with an ornate handle.
  • He carried a dagger for self-defense.
• Noun (Symbol):
  • The author's name was followed by a dagger, indicating he was deceased.
  • See the note marked with a dagger (†) at the bottom of the page.

Advanced Usage

• "to be at daggers drawn": To be in a state of open hostility or bitter conflict.
  • The two political parties were at daggers drawn over the new policy.
• "to look daggers at someone": To look at someone with intense anger or hatred.
  • She looked daggers at him when he interrupted her speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Daggers (n, plural): More than one dagger.
• Daggerlike (adj): Resembling a dagger in shape or sharpness.
  • He gave her a daggerlike glare.

Synonyms

• Stiletto: A slender dagger.
• Poniard: A small, slender dagger.
• Dirk: A long, straight-bladed dagger.
• Obelisk (for the symbol): Another term for the dagger symbol (†).

Related Phrases

• "to speak daggers": To speak in a very harsh, bitter, or wounding manner.
  • During the argument, they spoke daggers to each other.

Related Idioms

• "cloak-and-dagger": Involving or characteristic of mystery, intrigue, or espionage.
  • The novel is a thrilling cloak-and-dagger story about spies.

Noun

1. a character used in printing to indicate a cross reference or footnote
2. a short knife with a pointed blade used for piercing or stabbing