n. [ Cf. OE. daggen to pierce, F. daguer. See Dag a dagger. ] 1. A short weapon used for stabbing. This is the general term: cf. Poniard, Stiletto, Bowie knife, Dirk, Misericorde, Anlace. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Print.) A mark of reference in the form of a dagger [ † ]. It is the second in order when more than one reference occurs on a page; -- called also obelisk. [ 1913 Webster ]
Dagger moth (Zool.), any moth of the genus Apatalea. The larvæ are often destructive to the foliage of fruit trees, etc. --
Dagger of lath, the wooden weapon given to the Vice in the old Moralities. Shak. --
Double dagger, a mark of reference [ ‡ ] which comes next in order after the dagger. --
To look daggers, or
To speak daggers, to look or speak fiercely or reproachfully. [ 1913 Webster ]