Meaning
stab wound, stab
- a blow or wound inflicted with a dagger or knife
- a sudden betrayal or painful blow (figurative)
In a sentence
La vittima è stata portata d'urgenza all'ospedale per una pugnalata al fianco.
The victim was rushed to the hospital for a stab wound to the side.
Sapere che un amico fidato mi aveva tradito è stata una pugnalata alle spalle.
Knowing that a trusted friend had betrayed me was a stab in the back.
Le sue fredde parole di addio gli sono sembrate una pugnalata al cuore.
Her cold parting words felt to him like a stab to the heart.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| pugnalata | feminine · singular |
| pugnalate | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- Formed with the suffix '-ata', meaning a blow struck with a dagger ('pugnale').
- Very common metaphorically for betrayal: 'una pugnalata al cuore / alle spalle'.