spear 1
— spearer , n.
/spear/ , n.
1. a long, stabbing weapon for thrusting or throwing, consisting of a wooden shaft to which a sharp-pointed head, as of iron or steel, is attached.
2. a soldier or other person armed with such a weapon; spearman: an army of 40,000 spears.
3. a similar weapon or stabbing implement, as one for use in fishing.
4. the act of spearing.
adj.
5. See spear side .
v.t.
6. to pierce with or as with a spear.
v.i.
7. to go or penetrate like a spear: The plane speared through the clouds.
[ bef. 900; ME (n.), OE spere; c. D, G speer ]
spear 2
/spear/ , n.
1. a sprout or shoot of a plant, as a blade of grass or an acrospire of grain.
v.i.
2. to sprout; shoot; send up or rise in a spear or spears.
[ 1520-30; var. of SPIRE 1 , perh. influenced by SPEAR 1 ]