dagger

UK: /ˈdægə^r/ US: /ˈdægɚ/ ,(dag′ər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

dag•ger /ˈdægɚ/   n. [countable]

1. a short, swordlike weapon with a pointed blade and a handle.
2. Printing Also called obelisk. a printer's mark (†) used esp. for references.

Idioms

3. Idioms look daggers at, [ ~ + obj] to look at (someone) with anger:
   She looked daggers at me when I said it was fine for our guests to stay late.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dag•ger  (dag′ər), n. 

1. a short, swordlike weapon with a pointed blade and a handle, used for stabbing.
2. Printing Also called obelisk. a mark (†) used esp. for references.
3. Idioms look daggers at, to look at angrily, threateningly, or with hate.

v.t. 

4. to stab with or as if with a dagger.
5. Printing to mark with a dagger.

• 1350–1400; Middle English, probably alteration of Old French dague, of obscure origin, originally; compare dag¹

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

dagger / ˈdæɡə/ noun

1. a short stabbing weapon with a pointed blade
2. Also called: obelisk a character (†) used in printing to indicate a cross reference, esp to a footnote
3. at daggers drawn ⇒ in a state of open hostility
4. look daggers ⇒ to glare with hostility; scowl

Etymology: 14th Century: of uncertain origin