SPEAR

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does spear mean? 

• SPEAR (noun)
  The noun SPEAR has 2 senses:

1. a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon

2. an implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish

  Familiarity information: SPEAR used as a noun is rare.

• SPEAR (verb)
  The verb SPEAR has 2 senses:

1. pierce with a spear

2. thrust up like a spear

  Familiarity information: SPEAR used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SPEAR (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

lance; shaft; spear

Hypernyms ("spear" is a kind of...):

arm; weapon; weapon system (any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting)

Meronyms (parts of "spear"):

barb (a subsidiary point facing opposite from the main point that makes an arrowhead or spear hard to remove)

spear-point; spearhead; spearpoint (the head and sharpened point of a spear)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "spear"):

assagai; assegai (the slender spear of the Bantu-speaking people of Africa)

javelin (a spear thrown as a weapon or in competitive field events)

trident (a spear with three prongs)

Derivation:

spear (pierce with a spear)

spear (thrust up like a spear)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

fishgig; fizgig; gig; lance; spear

Hypernyms ("spear" is a kind of...):

implement (instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "spear"):

harpoon (a spear with a shaft and barbed point for throwing; used for catching large fish or whales; a strong line is attached to it)

leister (a spear with three or more prongs; used for spearing fish (especially salmon))

Holonyms ("spear" is a member of...):

fishing gear; fishing rig; fishing tackle; rig; tackle (gear used in fishing)

Derivation:

spear (pierce with a spear)

• SPEAR (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they spear    ... he / she / it spears   
Past simple: speared   
Past participle: speared   
-ing form: spearing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Pierce with a spear

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context example:

spear fish

Hypernyms (to "spear" is one way to...):

empale; impale; spike; transfix (pierce with a sharp stake or point)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

spear (a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon)

spear (an implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Thrust up like a spear

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

spear; spear up

Context example:

The branch speared up into the air

Hypernyms (to "spear" is one way to...):

jut; jut out; project; protrude; stick out (extend out or project in space)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

Derivation:

spear (a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon)

 Context examples 

Why, they tie themselves together and leap into the Linden Pool, where the water is five spears'-lengths deep.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Then came all the people of Pastolik, (for this was the plan), with their war-spears, and arrows, and some few guns.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

As we advanced together through the woods we found the ape-men lying thick, transfixed with spears or arrows.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

And then she called a dozen of her slaves, who were the Winkies, and gave them sharp spears, telling them to go to the strangers and destroy them.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

They were no match at all, were it not for their arrows and spears and clubs.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

However, in my opinion, it was extremely prudent, as well as generous: for, supposing these people had endeavoured to kill me with their spears and arrows, while I was asleep, I should certainly have awaked with the first sense of smart, which might so far have roused my rage and strength, as to have enabled me to break the strings wherewith I was tied; after which, as they were not able to make resistance, so they could expect no mercy.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

He had gone out before breakfast, and I had sat down to mine when he strode into the room, his hat upon his head and a huge barbed-headed spear tucked like an umbrella under his arm.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I wish to be a better man than I have been, than I am; as Job's leviathan broke the spear, the dart, and the habergeon, hindrances which others count as iron and brass, I will esteem but straw and rotten wood.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Let him then name the gentleman with whom he would break a spear.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

And Negore knew, should one arrow fly, or one spear be flung, that his death would come upon him.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)