der Stecher
stabber
A person who injures or kills another person with a stabbing weapon.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei konnte den Stecher kurz nach der Tat festnehmen.
The police were able to arrest the stabber shortly after the crime.
der Stecher
stabber / biter / engraver
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Meanings
der Stecher
biter / stinging insect
A colloquial term for an insect that bites or stings, especially a mosquito.
EXAMPLE
Am See wimmelt es nur so von diesen lästigen Stechern.
The lake is absolutely swarming with these annoying biters.
der Stecher
engraver
An artist or craftsperson who produces printing plates for intaglio printing by engraving a design into metal, such as copper, or wood; an engraver.
EXAMPLE
Albrecht Dürer war nicht nur Maler, sondern auch ein meisterhafter Stecher.
Albrecht Dürer was not only a painter, but also a masterful engraver.
der Stecher
set trigger
A special trigger mechanism in firearms that enables a very light and precise shot by greatly reducing trigger resistance.
EXAMPLE
Für den weiten Schuss auf das Wild benutzte der Jäger den Stecher seines Gewehrs.
For the long shot at the game, the hunter used the set trigger on his rifle.
Usage tips
Word family
All meanings of 'der Stecher' derive from the verb 'stechen' (to stab, sting, or prick). The suffix '-er' forms a noun that can refer to a person (perpetrator, artist), an animal (insect), or a tool (part of a weapon) that performs the action of stabbing, stinging, or pricking.
EXAMPLE
Eine Wespe ist ein Insekt, das stechen kann.
A wasp is an insect that can sting.
Context clue
You can almost always recognize the meaning of 'Stecher' from the context. If it is about crime, it refers to the perpetrator. In nature, it means insects; in art, an engraver; and in shooting, a part of the weapon.
EXAMPLE
Der Jäger nutzte den Stecher für einen präzisen Schuss.
The hunter used the set trigger for a precise shot.
Typical collocations
In connection with a crime, 'der Stecher' is often used with verbs such as 'suchen' (to look for), 'identifizieren' (to identify), 'fassen' (to catch), or 'festnehmen' (to arrest).
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei hofft, den Stecher bald identifizieren zu können.
The police hope to be able to identify the stabber soon.
Register
The term 'Stecher' for a mosquito or another stinging insect is colloquial. It is often used when someone is annoyed.
EXAMPLE
Mach das Fenster zu, sonst kommen die ganzen Stecher rein!
Close the window, otherwise all those biters will come in!
Technical language
In the meaning of a trigger mechanism, 'der Stecher' is a technical term from the language of hunters and sport shooters. Outside this context, you will hardly ever hear this meaning.
EXAMPLE
Er erklärte mir die Funktion des Stechers an seinem Jagdgewehr.
He explained the function of the set trigger on his hunting rifle to me.
Compare with
Stecher vs Abzug
deduction / trigger / withdrawal
Both words can refer to what is used to fire a shot. Abzug is the general mechanism of a firearm, while Stecher is a special trigger mechanism with greatly reduced trigger resistance. Abzug is used for the normal mechanism; the special version can be called Stecher.
Stecher
Der Jäger stellte den Stecher des Gewehrs vor dem Schuss vorsichtig ein.
Before firing, the hunter carefully adjusted the rifle's set trigger.
Abzug
Der Jäger legte den Finger vorsichtig an den Abzug des Gewehrs.
The hunter carefully placed his finger on the rifle's trigger.
In real life
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