Spear — Defs

01 n. A long, pointed weapon, used in war and hunting, by thrusting or throwing; a weapon with a long shaft and a sharp head or blade; a lance.

1.
A long, pointed weapon, used in war and hunting, by thrusting or throwing; a weapon with a long shaft and a sharp head or blade; a lance.
“They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.” — Micah iv. 3.
2.
Fig.: A spearman.
3.
A sharp-pointed instrument with barbs, used for stabbing fish and other animals.
4.
A shoot, as of grass; a spire.
5.
The feather of a horse. See Feather, n., 4. See: Feather
6.
The rod to which the bucket, or plunger, of a pump is attached; a pump rod.

Phrases & compounds

Spear foot — the off hind foot of a horse.

Spear grass — The common reed. See Reed, n., 1.

Spear hand — the hand in which a horseman holds a spear; the right hand.

Spear side — the male line of a family.

Spear thistle — the common thistle (Cnicus lanceolatus).

02 v. t. To pierce with a spear; to kill with a spear; as, to spear a fish.

imp. & p. p. Speared; p. pr. & vb. n. Spearing

03 v. i. To shoot into a long stem, as some plants. See Spire.