- Trending Now: More Trending:
- exculpatory ideologue socialism uphold due process
- ALL
What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
Origin and Etymology of spear
Middle English spere, from Old English; akin to Old High German sper spear, Latin sparus hunting spear
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: before 12th century
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same yearDefinition of spear
speared;
spearing;
spears
1
: to pierce, strike, or take with or as if with a spear
- spear salmon
- speared a chop from the platter
2
: to catch (something, such as a baseball) with a sudden thrust of the arm
3 a
ice hockey
: to jab (an opposing player) with the blade of one's stick
- All game, the Caps held, hooked, slashed, speared, chopped, and bopped … the Rangers' European players.
- —Stu Hackel
b
American football
: to ram (an opposing player) with one's helmet
- … defensive end Ben Davidson set off a sidelines-clearing scrum when he speared Dawson from behind after he was down.
- —Jim Trotter
: to thrust at or wound something with or as if with a spear
—
spearer
nounFirst Known Use of spear
15th century
First Known Use of spear
1861
Definition of spear
Origin and Etymology of spear
Origin and Etymology of spear
SPEAR Defined for Kids
Definition of spear for Students
1
: a weapon with a long straight handle and sharp head or blade used for throwing or jabbing
2
: an instrument with a sharp point and curved hooks used in stabbing fish
Definition of spear for Students
speared;
spearing
: to strike or pierce with or as if with a spear
Learn More about spear
-
See words that rhyme with spear Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for spear Spanish Central: Translation of spear Nglish: Translation of spear for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of spear for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spear
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up spear? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
