▪ I. † sab Her. Obs.
Abbreviation of sable n.2
| 1660 M. Carter Honor rediv. 249 Bernards Inne Beareth party per pale indented Ermin and Sab. a Cheveron Gul. fretty. |
▪ II. sab, n.2 slang.
(sæb)
[Abbrev. of saboteur n.]
A hunt saboteur; hunt sab: see *hunt n.2 6. Also sab v. trans., to disrupt as a hunt saboteur; ˈsabbing vbl. n.
The word arose amongst saboteurs as a name for themselves.
| 1978 Times 12 Apr. 14/9 Sabs have been horsewhipped, ridden down, struck. 1983 Sunday Times 6 Mar. 11/2 The battle between the hunters and the ‘sabs’ is now an integral part of the hunting scene. He is a veteran of countless sabbing missions. 1986 Peace News 19 Sept. 9/1 For two seasons I went and ‘sabbed’ my local hunt. 1988 Green Line Oct. 9/1 The hunting season is upon us once again, and the sabs take to the ‘killing fields’ with their usual courage and expertise. |
▪ III. sab
obs. form of sahib.