v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Stabbed p. pr. & vb. n. Stabbing. ] [ Cf. OD. staven to fix, fasten, fr. stave, staff, a staff, rod; akin to G. stab a staff, stick, E. staff; also Gael. stob to stab, as n., a stake, a stub. Cf. Staff. ] 1. To pierce with a pointed weapon; to wound or kill by the thrust of a pointed instrument; as, to stab a man with a dagger; also, to thrust; as, to stab a dagger into a person. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fig.: To injure secretly or by malicious falsehood or slander; as, to stab a person's reputation. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To give a wound with a pointed weapon; to pierce; to thrust with a pointed weapon. [ 1913 Webster ]

None shall dare
With shortened sword to stab in closer war. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To wound or pain, as if with a pointed weapon. [ 1913 Webster ]

She speaks poniards, and every word stabs. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

To stab at, to offer or threaten to stab; to thrust a pointed weapon at. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The thrust of a pointed weapon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A wound with a sharp-pointed weapon; as, to fall by the stab of an assassin. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Fig.: An injury inflicted covertly or suddenly; as, a stab given to character. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖ [ L., the mother was standing. ] A celebrated Latin hymn, beginning with these words, commemorating the sorrows of the mother of our Lord at the foot of the cross. It is read in the Mass of the Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, and is sung by Catholics when making “the way of the cross” (Via Crucis). See Station, 7 (c). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, stabs; a privy murderer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Naut.) A small marline spike; a pricker. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. By stabbing; with intent to injure covertly. Bp. Parker. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Bacteriol.) A culture made by inoculating a solid medium, as gelatin, with the puncture of a needle or wire; -- called also stab. The growths are usually of characteristic form. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

n. [ L. stabilimentum, fr. stabilire to make firm or stable, fr. stabilis. See Stable, a. ] The act of making firm; firm support; establishment. [ R. ] Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

They serve for stabiliment, propagation, and shade. Derham. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ LL. stabilitatus, p. p. of stabilitare to make stable. ] To make stable; to establish. [ Obs. ] Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. stabilitas; cf. F. stabilité. See Stable, a. ] 1. The state or quality of being stable, or firm; steadiness; stableness; firmness; strength to stand without being moved or overthrown; as, the stability of a structure; the stability of a throne or a constitution. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Steadiness or firmness of character; firmness of resolution or purpose; the quality opposite to fickleness, irresolution, or inconstancy; constancy; steadfastness; as, a man of little stability, or of unusual stability. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Fixedness; -- as opposed to fluidity. [ 1913 Webster ]

Since fluidness and stability are contrary qualities. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Steadiness; stableness; constancy; immovability; firmness. [ 1913 Webster ]