From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Stab \Stab\, 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.
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3. Fig.: An injury inflicted covertly or suddenly; as, a stab
given to character.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Stab \Stab\ (st[a^]b), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stabbed (st[a^]bd);
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.
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2. Fig.: To injure secretly or by malicious falsehood or
slander; as, to stab a person's reputation.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Stab \Stab\, v. i.
1. To give a wound with a pointed weapon; to pierce; to
thrust with a pointed weapon.
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None shall dare
With shortened sword to stab in closer war.
--Dryden.
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2. To wound or pain, as if with a pointed weapon.
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She speaks poniards, and every word stabs. --Shak.
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To stab at, to offer or threaten to stab; to thrust a
pointed weapon at.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Stab culture \Stab culture\ (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]