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spear Definition

spear (spir)

noun

  1. a weapon consisting of a long wooden shaft with a sharp point, usually of metal or stone, for thrusting or throwing
  2. any spearlike, often forked, implement used for thrusting, as in one kind of fishing
  3. spearman

  4. Etymology: var. of spire; ? infl. by spear above

    a long blade or shoot, as of grass

Etymology: ME spere < OE (akin to Ger speer) < IE base *sper- > spar, L sparus

transitive verb

  1. to pierce or stab with something pointed, as a spear
  2. to catch (fish, etc.) with a spear
  3. Informal to extend the arm so as to make a one-handed catch of (a baseball, etc.)

intransitive verb

  1. to pierce or shoot like a spear

  2. Etymology: cf. spear

    to sprout into a long stem

spear Related Forms

spear′er noun

spear Synonyms

spear

n.

lance, pike, javelin, gar, halberd, half-pike, partisan, bill, lancet, bayonet, fish spear, hunting spear, weapon.

spear Usage Examples

Preposition: of

asparagus: Steamed brocolli, spears of asparagus, sliced courgette, etc, all work well.

Converse of object

  • brandish: Showing a native warrior seated on a camel and brandishing a spear.
  • hurl: Albert is long dead, killed by a spear hurled into the khazi by an enraged Harold finally pushed over the edge.
  • sharpen: A warrior, he throws sharpened spears to cut in deep.
  • throw: Expert horsemen, the Britons can throw spears from horseback, or from chariots.
  • thrust: Another ape thrust a spear at him; but Prak slithered sideways on the bloody flags, and went tumbling down the next flight.
  • carry: The staff originated from the long spears carried by classical warriors.

Adjective modifier

sharp: Then came the swish of swift sharp spears seeking the mortal flesh of adversaries.

Modifies a noun

  • thistle: Under the Weeds Act 1959, the Minister has the powers to require an occupier of land to prevent the spread of spear thistle.
  • thrust: His tomb shows an angel bearing his soul to Heaven and apparently his spear thrust into a dragon's jaw.
  • fisherman: The two spear fishermen were not far from the beach.
  • carrier: We are interchangeable bit-part actors, spear carriers, participating in a mockery of parliamentary process.
  • shaft: By comparison, modern humans made lighter stone points that could be fitted on to lighter spear shafts.
  • fishing: The best spear fishing I've done is off Northern Ireland where I couldn't fail to hunt without success.

Noun used with modifier

  • britney: Sandwich britney spears ' together to share today through july th.
  • asparagus: I am talking about fresh Oxfordshire asparagus spears, which have a far deeper, richer flavor than those imported bunches.
  • eel: Eel spears are the ultimate embodiment of beauty of form derived from function.
  • sandwich: Sandwich britney spears ' together to share today through july th.
  • ax: Logged Oden, guide our ships, our axes spears and swords!
  • hunting: They also throw the javelin, using hunting spears that are flung huge distances through the bush.