Origin of spear

1
before 900; Middle English (noun), Old English spere; cognate with Dutch, German speer

OTHER WORDS FROM spear

spear·er, noun

Words nearby spear

speaking in tongues, speaking trumpet, speaking tube, speaking type, spean, spear, spear carrier, spear grass, spear gun, spear phish, spear side

Definition for spear (2 of 2)

spear 2
[ speer ]
/ spɪər /

noun

a sprout or shoot of a plant, as a blade of grass or an acrospire of grain.

verb (used without object)

to sprout; shoot; send up or rise in a spear or spears.

Origin of spear

2
1520–30; variant of spire1, perhaps influenced by spear1

Words related to spear

bayonet, blade, skewer, dart, harpoon, pike, weapon, bill, javelin, partisan, gar, lancet, halberd, partizan, lance, spire, bolt, spike, bore, trident

Example sentences from the Web for spear

British Dictionary definitions for spear (1 of 2)

spear 1
/ (spɪə) /

noun

a weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp pointed end of metal, stone, or wood that may be thrown or thrust
a similar implement used to catch fish
another name for spearman

verb

to pierce (something) with or as if with a spear

Derived forms of spear

spearer, noun

Word Origin for spear

Old English spere; related to Old Norse spjör spears, Greek sparos gilthead

British Dictionary definitions for spear (2 of 2)

spear 2
/ (spɪə) /

noun

a shoot, slender stalk, or blade, as of grass, asparagus, or broccoli

Word Origin for spear

C16: probably variant of spire 1, influenced by spear 1