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spear

To shoot into a long stem, as some plants. See spire.

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.

See: Illust. Of Spearhead] A sharp ground spear. They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. (Micah iv. 3)

2. 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.

6. The rod to which the bucket, or plunger, of a pump is attached; a pump rod. Spear foot, the off hind foot of a horse. Spear grass.

The common thistle (Cnicus lanceolatus).

Origin: OE. Spere, AS. Spere; akin to D. & G. Speer, OS. & OHS. Sper, Icel. Spjor, pl, Dan. Spaer, L. Sparus.

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

Origin: Speared; Spearing.