Words / B2

DAG-uh/ˈdæɡə/

A dagger is a short pointed knife used as a weapon: a ceremonial dagger; at daggers drawn (in bitter dispute). Knife is broader; sword is longer. Date the dagger in the museum catalogue, then the material. Mix-up: dagger vs stagger; the punctuation dagger (†); do not write dagger for a kitchen knife unless the source names a weapon.

Meaning

A short pointed knife used as a weapon.

Examples

• “Date the dagger in the museum catalogue, then the material, the history paper said.”
• “The parties were at daggers drawn, which is the idiom — still name the dispute.”

Good to know

a ceremonial dagger; at daggers drawn. Broader: knife. Trap: stagger / a cook’s knife. History and literature. A short weapon — date it, or name the dispute in the idiom.

Near in meaning

dirk, stiletto, short sword

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