spear
1spear
noun \ˈspir\Definition of SPEAR
1
: a thrusting or throwing weapon with long shaft and sharp head or blade
2
: a sharp-pointed instrument with barbs used in spearing fish
3
: spearman
Origin of SPEAR
Middle English spere, from Old English; akin to Old High German sper spear, Latin sparus hunting spear
First Known Use: before 12th century
Rhymes with SPEAR
2spear
verbDefinition of SPEAR
transitive verb1
: to pierce, strike, or take with or as if with a spear <spear salmon> <speared a chop from the platter>
2
: to catch (as a baseball) with a sudden thrust of the arm
intransitive verb
: to thrust at or wound something with or as if with a spear
— spear·er noun
First Known Use of SPEAR
15th century
3spear
adjectiveDefinition of SPEAR
First Known Use of SPEAR
1861
4spear
intransitive verbDefinition of SPEAR
of a plant : to thrust a spear upward
Origin of SPEAR
5spear
First Known Use: 1573
5spear
nounDefinition of SPEAR
: a usually young blade, shoot, or sprout (as of grass)
Origin of SPEAR
alteration of 1spire
First Known Use: 1647
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Previous Word in the Dictionary: spean
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Previous Word in the Dictionary: spean
All Words Near: spear
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