spearn.1
/spɪə/, U.S. /spɪ(ə)r/ 1. † c. Const. of (peace or war). spear of peace, a blunt spear used in jousting. Obsolete.† d. The sharp head of a pike. Obsolete. rare.
a. A thrusting weapon consisting of a stout wooden staff of some length, on which a sharp-pointed head, usually of iron or steel, is socketed or otherwise securely fixed; a lance; also, a shorter or lighter weapon of this kind used for throwing.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > spear or lance > [noun]
spearc725
ordeOE
spriteOE
wal-speara1000
gareOE
shaftc1000
staffc1275
glaive1297
lancegayc1386
gad1422
burdounc1440
Jedburgh (Jedworth, Jedwood etc.) staff1515
puncheon pole1548
puncheon spear1548
puncheon staff1548
punching staff1562
prag1582
sarissa1736
staff weapon1788
windlestraw1831
α.
β. 14.. Trevisa's Barth. De P.R. (Bodl.) xvii. xxxi Dartes of reede..so longe..þt þei vse hem in stede of speirs.c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 6494 Two speirus full dispitus he sparet to cast.1562 N. Winȝet Wks. (S.T.S.) I. 78 That knycht quha peirsit our Lordis syde with the speir.1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 330 The scotis ouerthrew monie Jnglismen with speiris.γ. 1524 in State Papers Henry VIII (1834) II. 115 Englishe speares, bowes, and billes.1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cxxx The chief Prophet..thrusteth his speare into hym.1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 109 Some after the fashion of Italie, using a Scull, a Iacke, a Sword, and two light Speares.1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 292 His Spear, to equal which the tallest Pine Hewn on Norwegian hills..were but a wand. View more context for this quotation1757 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. IV. 217 The spears of both these champions are still shewn here.1813 W. Scott Bridal of Triermain i. xvii. 41 Four of the train combined to rear The terrors of Tintadgel's spear.1889 R. S. S. Baden-Powell Pigsticking 90 The short or ‘jobbing’ spear is generally used throughout Bengal and Upper India.c725 Corpus Gloss. (Hessels) C 610 Contos, speoru.
c893 tr. Orosius Hist. iii. xvii. §1 Þa for he..& funde hiene ænne be wege licgan mid sperum tosticad.
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. John xix. 34 An ðara cempa mið spere sidu his untynde.
c1000 Ælfric Lives Saints xii. 55 Þæt hors hine bær forð swa þæt spere him eode þurh ut.
c1060 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (MS. C) ann. 1055 Ær þær wære ænig spere gescoten, ær fleah ðæt Englisce folc.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 51 Þer efter schakeð hire spere & neolachet vpon hire. &..ȝeueð speres wunde.
c1275 Passion our Lord 179 in Old Eng. Misc. Mid speres and myd staues and oþe vele þinge.
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 1446 Wiþ a spere feloun He smot him in þe side.
a1400 Sir Perc. 191 Off alle hir lordes faire gere Wolde scho noȝte with hir bere, Bot a lyttille Scottes spere.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur i. x. 48 Vlfyus and Brastias dressid theire speres and ranne to gyder with grete raundon.
1483 Cath. Angl. 354/2 A Sperre for a bayre, excipulum, venabulum.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. xxxvjv The Scottes dayly shipped long speres called colleyne clowystes.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. i. sig. A4v The Champion..To the Dwarfe a while his needlesse spere he gaue.
b. Without article, frequently coupled with shield, sword, etc., and used in a collective sense.
ΚΠ
a1250 Owl & Nightingale 1022 He myhte bet teche ane beore To bere scheld and spere.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 276 Brutus..mid sweord & mid spere al he to-drof þes kinges here.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xviii. 12 Wyth-oute spores other spere spakliche he loked.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 20817 To be þan for vs sper and scheild.
c1400 Rom. Rose 5823 That she..nyl..smyte a stroke in this bataile, With darte, ne mace, spere, ne knyf.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) iv. l. 302 All..Off that party that mycht weild bow or sper.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 113 Quhai for hir saek with speir and scheld Preiffis maest mychtellye in the feld [etc.].
1595 Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot. 116/2 With jak, knaipisca, speir and suord.
1611 Bible (King James) Jer. vi. 23 They shall lay hold on bowe and speare . View more context for this quotation
1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey III. x. 169 I climb'd a cliff, with spear and sword in hand.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake v. 206 And still from copse and heather deep, Fancy saw spear and broad-sword peep.
1849 W. E. Aytoun Lays Sc. Cavaliers 70 Why go you forth..With spear and belted brand?
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > spear or lance > [noun] > blunt spear or lance
spear of peacea1400
rocket1525
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > jousting or tilting > [noun] > equipment
spear of peacea1400
timberc1400
tilting-staff1602
Saracen1637
tilt-staff1651
tilting armour1819
tilting-helmet1846
tilting-lance1863
tilting spear-
a1400 Sir Degrev. 1177 Tak ether of ȝow a spere, Bothe of pes and of were.
a1400 Sir Degrev. 1261 To gret sperus of pese Bothe these lordes hem chese.
1508 W. Kennedy Flyting (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems W. Dunbar (1998) I. 218 Deulbere, thy spere of were but feir thou yelde.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > pike > [noun] > head
pike-head1596
spear1690
the world > animals > fish > class Osteichthyes or Teleostomi > order Salmoniformes (salmon or trout) > family Esocidae (pikes) > [noun] > esox lucius (true pike) > parts of
chisel-bonea1682
spear1690
1690 Exercise of Foot 121 Trail your Pikes with the Spears behind.
1690 Exercise of Foot 144 The Pikemen Charge their Pikes to the Front, the Spears in a Line Breast high.
e. Military. One of the transverse spikes or poles of a cheval-de-frise.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > barricade > [noun] > anti-cavalry barrier
turnpikec1420
caltrop1519
harrow1548
chausse-trap1591
swine feather1639
swine's pike1639
crowfoot1678
cheval de frise1688
horse de frise1688
hersillon1704
herse1728
crow's foot1772
trou-de-loup1780
cheval-trap1787
frise1809
spear1823
punji stake (or stick)1849
night-cat1863
1823 G. Crabb Universal Technol. Dict.
1828 J. M. Spearman Brit. Gunner 142 Weight, Dimension, &c. of Chevaux-De-Frize... Barrel, Length 9 ft. 5 in. Spears, 20. Length 6 ft.
1834 J. S. Macaulay Treat. Field Fortification 77 The spears of the chevaux-de-frise are so arranged as to present three rows of points to the enemy.
1876 G. E. Voyle & G. de Saint-Clair-Stevenson Mil. Dict. (ed. 3) at Chevaux de frise Each length is composed of a barrel or stout beam.., with strong sharp spears driven through it, in two or more different directions.
2.
a. In transferred and figurative uses.
ΚΠ
c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xxxv. 244 Ða speru ðære soðfæstnesse, ðæt sindon haligra gewrita manunga.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 28046 O licheri agayn þe spere Wit chastite þou sal þe were.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ii. l. 231 Compleyne for him that was ȝour aspresper.
1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. xi. sig. Diiiv Will is a shrewde boy... A gentill white spurre, and at nede a sure speare.
1568 Ballad against Evil Women in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1930) IV. 33 List vnlawty leir Secreit invy and of dispyt the speir.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II i. i. 171 I am..Pierst to the soule with Slaunders venomd speare . View more context for this quotation
1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound i. i. 20 The crawling glaciers pierce me with the spears Of their moon-freezing chrystals.
1873 M. Arnold Lit. & Dogma x. 316 The spear of Butler's reasoning.
1930 R. Campbell Adamastor 60 A starved mongrel..From where he crouched, a thrilling spear of pain, Hurled forth his Alleluia to the sky.
1934 T. S. Eliot Rock ii. 78 Encompassed with enemies armed with the spears of mistaken ideals.
b. The ‘sack’; dismissal. Australian slang.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > lack of work > [noun] > dismissal or discharge
discharginga1398
discharge1523
quietus est1530
conduction1538
cassing1550
remove1553
destitution1554
mittimus1596
dismissionc1600
quietus1635
removal1645
cashierment1656
separation1779
dismissing1799
dismissala1806
to give (a person) the sack1825
bullet1841
congee1847
decapitation1869
G.B.1880
the shove1899
spear1912
bob-tail1915
severance1941
sacking1958
termination1974
1912 in Stewart & Keesing Old Bush Songs (1957) 273 I've been many years a shearer and I fancied I could shear, I've shore for Rouse of Guntawung and always missed the spear.
1941 S. J. Baker Pop. Dict. Austral. Slang 69 Get the spear, to be dismissed from a job.
a. under a spear, under one banner, pennon, or flag. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military service > [adverb] > serving under specific standard
under a spear1297
under the standard ofc1500
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 11861 So þat þer were To & tuenti kniȝtes vnder a spere.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > selling > a public sale > hold a sale [verb (intransitive)] > be sold by auction
go?a1425
to pass under the spear1600
go (also come) to (or under) the hammer1842
society > trade and finance > selling > a public sale > sell by public sale [verb (transitive)] > sell by auction
roup1513
to sell at a pike1594
to put, etc., under the spear1600
knocka1626
outcry1676
to cry out1701
cant1720
to knock down1765
auctioneer1785
auction1884
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. ii. xvii. 55 The rest of the inhabitants were sold at the speare in ouvert market like slaves.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxiii. xxxii. 496 Their fields he would lay wast; sell their servants in port sale at the speare.
1611 B. Jonson Catiline ii. sig. E2 When you see..Their Houses, and fine Gardens giuen away, And all their goods, vnder the Speare, at out-cry. View more context for this quotation
1689 J. Evelyn Let. 12 Aug. in Diary & Corr. (1859) III. 309 The noblest..library, that ever passed under the spear.
1710 D. Manley Mem. Europe II. 105 They persuaded him to put all the Furniture of the House immediately under the Spear.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > body or parts of horse > [noun] > neck or type of > vein in or mark upon
neck vein1639
stroke of the spear1753
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. (at cited word) The feather of a horse, called the stroke of the spear, is a mark in the neck, or near the shoulder, of some Barbs [etc.].
4. † b. (See quots. and pensioner n. 3) Obsolete.
a. A soldier armed with or carrying a spear; a spearman. Now archaic.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > warrior > armed man > [noun] > spear or lance
spearc1275
spearman1297
lance-knight1530
demi-lancer1552
demi-lancea1556
spearer1574
lance-man1589
lancer1590
javelineer1600
javelotier1600
lance1602
spearsman1836
javelin-man1846
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3715 Com of Muriene moni spere [c1300 Otho speres] kene.
a1400 Sir Degrev. 319 The best mene that he ledde, He hadd y-lefft home to wedde, With ffyffty spers is he ffledd.
c1450 Contin. Brut 580 One Watkyn Ruskyn, a gentill man and a gud spere, was slayn at þe wynnyng of þe same bullewerk.
1475 Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.) 38 Ser John Chaundos,..whiche had bene in many batailes, and had the governaunce of Ml. speris.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. cxxxvij The Erle of Huntyngdone,..with twoo. M. archers, and foure hundred speres, was sente into Gascoyne.
a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) II. 39 ijc speiris witht the earle of Angus and ijc witht my lord governour.
1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. 83 Caius Minucius, a speare in the fourth legion.
1820 W. Scott Monastery III. x. 251 That plump of spears that are spurring on so fast.
1885 J. Ruskin Pleasures Eng. 113 He sent..for some German knights, and got five hundred spears.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > retainer or follower > [noun] > dependant
spear1539
dependerc1565
dependant1598
pensionnaire1604
feedera1616
reliant1665
encumbrance1742
to-fall1822
loaf-eater1844
1539 T. Cranmer Let. 28 Dec. in Remains (1833) I. 296 Edward Askew..is by some nobleman preferred unto the room of one of these new spears in the Court.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. vj Also this yere [1509], the kyng ordeined fiftie Gentle menne to bee speres, euery of theim to haue an Archer, a Dimilaunce and a Custrell, and euery Spere to haue three greate Horses.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. ccxxxviiv In Decembre [1539] wer appointed to wayte on the Kynges highnes person fyftye Gentlemen called Pencioners or Speres, lyke as they were in the first yere of the Kyng.
c1600 Wriothesley's Chron. Eng. (1875) I. 112 This yeare [1539] the kinge made many yong gentlemen speres, and gave them 5 l. a peece.
c. A hunter or sportsman who uses a spear; a pig-sticker.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunter > hunter of specific animal > [noun] > of pigs
first-spear1837
pig hunter1837
spear1849
pigsticker1866
1849 E. B. Eastwick Dry Leaves 75 One of the best spears who ever chased the wild boar over wide plain and tangled hill.
1864 G. O. Trevelyan Competition Wallah vi. 165 Mr. Mildred, an indigo planter,..a first-rate spear and rough rider.
5.
a. A sharp-pointed weapon used for various purposes; esp. one for catching fish, a leister.Also with defining terms, as eel-spear, fish-spear, salmon-spear, trout-spear.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > spear > [noun]
pricka1350
garfanglec1440
wawsper1472
spear1551
waster1580
fizgig1589
visgee1593
fish-spear1611
glaive1640
fish-giga1642
gaff1656
gig1705
lance1728
sticker1772
graina1818
picaroon1837
pickpole1837
fishing-spear1840
lily-iron1852
gambeering iron1883
mackerel gaff1883
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > spear > [noun] > for salmon
leister1533
salmon-spear1551
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > spear > [noun] > for trout
trout-spear1551
1551 W. Turner New Herball sig. F vj Their leysters or sammon speres.
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde iii. xi. f. 163v Speares..lyke vnto troute speares or yele speares.
1611 Bible (King James) Job xli. 7 Canst thou fill..his head with fish-speares ? View more context for this quotation
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1654 (1955) III. 115 They catch the Trouts by Speare in the night.
1766 State of Proc., A. Macdonald v. Dk. Gordon Pursuer's Proof 13 The fish..were killed and taken out by spears.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth VI. 208 They renew their attacks, till the whale begins to be quite enfeebled.., when they plunge their longer spears into various parts of its body.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering II. 61 This chase, in which the fish is pursued and struck with barbed spears,..is much practised at the mouth of the Esk.
1840 D. P. Blaine Encycl. Rural Sports §2889 The salmon is also caught with a spear, which they dart into him as he swims near the surface of the water.
b. A pointed iron bar. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > fact or condition of tapering > condition of tapering to a point > [noun] > pointed object or part > metal spike
gadc1225
polepike1451
spear1607
spirec1710
1607 T. Dekker & G. Wilkins Iests to make you Merie 43 If they haue..taken note of any casement, without a speere going vp in the middle.
1607 T. Dekker & G. Wilkins Iests to make you Merie 44 Such as haue low windowes, as though a story high without a spare.
c. A prong of a fork. (Cf. speer n.2)
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > digging or lifting tools > [noun] > fork > prong of fork
grain1486
forket1583
graininga1642
fork1677
prong1697
spear1742
spean1777
1742 T. Baker in Philos. Trans. 1739–40 (Royal Soc.) 41 135 A Young Woman..received a Wound just in the Pupil of her right Eye, by the Spear of a common Fork.
1749 T. Aery in Philos. Trans. 1748 (Royal Soc.) 45 412 She received a Wound in the Cornea of her right Eye, by the Spear of a common Fork, which also divided the Uvea.
6.
a. plural. The thorns or prickles of a plant, the spines or spikes of a hedgehog, sharp fins of a fish, etc. Chiefly poetic; now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > thorn or prickle > [noun]
thornc950
pileOE
prickOE
pikec1300
spine1430
pricklec1484
brodc1550
sting1567
point1604
spears1607
stob1637
pin1650
pricket1663
spinet1672
aculeus1702
pricker1743
spicula1753
acicula1784
acicule1800
acicle1852
thornlet1882
sticker1889
the world > life > biology > physical aspects or shapes > projection or protuberance > [noun] > pointed projection > spine > spines, spikes, or prickles
spears1607
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 166 Vpone the awfull Thrissill scho beheld, And saw him kepit with a busche of speiris.]
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 279 The Hehghog [sic] rowleth vpon the Serpent..and killeth his aduersary, carrying the flesh vpon his speares.
1693 J. Dryden tr. Juvenal in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires iv. 65 Mark the pointed Spears That from thy Hand on his pierc'd Back he wears? 70 Note. He makes the Flatterer call the sharp Fins rising on the Fishes back, Spears.
1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel II. 161 The very bramble, weeping 'Neath dewy tear-drops that its spears surround.
1827 J. Clare Shepherd's Cal. ix. 23 The hedgehog,..As shepherd-dog his haunt espies,..rolls up in a ball of spears.
b. The sting of a reptile or insect, esp. of a bee. Now Sussex dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > reptiles > [noun] > parts of
atterc1000
fingera1398
spear1608
pecten1713
supraciliary1838
postocular1856
patagium1857
podotheca1864
pretemporal1866
keeled scale1870
postnasal1871
prenasal1886
supracoracoid1897
hedonic gland1901
guanophore1924
chorio-allantois1933
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > parts of insects > [noun] > stinging organ
tanga1350
sting1398
stingle1398
spear1608
stinger1926
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > order Hymenoptera > [noun] > suborder Apocrita, Petiolata, or Heterophaga > group Aculeata (stinging) > superfamily Apoidea (bees) > sting of bee
prickc1350
prickle?c1425
spear1608
spine1656
bee-sting1689
1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 172 Nor yet he when [he] with his angry mouth Doth byte, such paines and torments bringeth As other Serpents..When with his teeth and speare he stingeth.
1609 C. Butler Feminine Monarchie i. sig. A3 The speere she hath is but little, and not halfe so long as the other Bees.
1609 C. Butler Feminine Monarchie i. sig. A5v Hir speere she [the Queen bee] is very loth to vse, if by any other meanes she can shift hir enimy.
a1700 T. Ken Edmund in Wks. (1721) II. 90 Into his tendrest Parts..the pertinacious Legion dart their spears.
1721 R. Bradley Philos. Acct. Wks. Nature 149 Our Gnat, which is of the unarmed Kind, having no Spear in its Mouth.
1875 W. D. Parish Dict. Sussex Dial. Spear, the sting of a bee.
1889 Longman's Mag. July 269 The best thing..when you have taken ‘the spear’ out, is to rub the place with a leek.
7. A beam or ray of light.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > [noun] > ray or beam
beamc885
rowc1225
stringc1275
steamc1300
light beama1398
shafta1400
rayc1400
strakec1400
rade?a1563
gleed1566
radiation1570
shine1581
rayon1591
stralla1618
radius1620
rule1637
irradiation1643
track1693
emanation1700
spoke1849
spearc1850
slant1856
sword1866
secondary1921
c1850 J. R. Lowell Above & Below i. iii 'Tis from these heights alone your eyes The advancing spears of day can see.
1894 H. Caine Manxman 277 A spear of candle-light shot from her door.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
a. With the sense ‘of or belonging to a spear’.† spear-block n. Obsolete† spear-pile n. Obsolete (= shaft)
spear-blade n.
ΚΠ
1880 F. Witti Diary in J. Hatton New Ceylon (1881) iv. 99 To the one end of the blowpipe is always made fast a spear-blade.
ΚΠ
1543 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1908) VIII. 223 For certane speir blokis boucht..to his grace in Ayr,..xv li.
spear-butt n.
ΚΠ
1853 C. Kingsley Hypatia I. vi. 132 An obedience which the Roman soldiers could only have compelled by hard blows of the spear-butt.
ΚΠ
1638 R. Brathwait Psalmes Paraphr. cli. 297 Six hundred iron shekels masse, Upon my speare-pile playes.
spear-tip n.
ΚΠ
1930 T. S. Eliot tr. ‘St.-J. Perse’ Anabasis 43 The horsemen..feeding on their spear-tips the pure disasters of sunshine.
b. Denoting distance or measurement.
spear-cast n.
ΚΠ
1867 W. Morris Life & Death of Jason x. 174 As in the stream they lay A spear-cast from the shore.
spear-length n.
ΚΠ
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 2316 He sprit forth spenne-fote more þen a spere lenþe.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3698 Hit spirit vp spitiously fyue speire lenght.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. viii. 9 The ditch..was only seuen fadomes broade, and twoo speare lengths deep.
1890 A. Conan Doyle White Company xxxvi He fell within a spear-length of the English line.
spear-throw n.
ΚΠ
1892 H. R. Haggard Nada the Lily 28 The men were running..with the length of a spear-throw between them.
c. Miscellaneous.
spear-arm adj.
ΚΠ
1880 R. Browning Echetlos in Dramatic Idyls 5 Up, back, out, down—was the spear-arm play.
spear-forest n.
ΚΠ
1946 S. Spender European Witness xiv. 217 A country of clustered spear-forests and gloomy heaths.
spear-print n.
ΚΠ
1911 E. Pound Canzoni 4 Deep in my heart that spear-print stays, That wound I got beyond the waters.
spear-storm n.
ΚΠ
1848 E. Bulwer-Lytton King Arthur iii. xlviii May Harold, thus confronting all, Pass from the spear-storm to the Golden Hall.
spear-stroke n.
ΚΠ
1835 Court Mag. 6 35/2 The captive English,..awaiting the spear-stroke with unblenching fortitude.
spear surge n.
ΚΠ
1900 G. K. Chesterton Wild Knight 103 The crest of the spear-surge.
spear-tassel n.
ΚΠ
1884 J. Colborne With Hicks Pasha in Soudan 46 Their many-coloured spear-tassels dropping on their shoulders.
spear-thrust n.
ΚΠ
1825 W. Scott Talisman xiii, in Tales Crusaders IV. 279 With sword-cut and spear-thrust, all hack'd and pierc'd through.
spear-touch n.
ΚΠ
1857 P. H. Gosse Omphalos xii. 362 It falls to the ground before the spear-touch of our Ithuriel.
spear-wound n.
ΚΠ
1895 Catholic Mag. Aug. 210 The spear-wound in His side.
C2. General combinations.
a. With agent-nouns, as spear-bearer, spear-fisher, spear-fisherman, spear-hurler, spear-planer.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fisher > [noun] > using spear
spear-fisher1449
spear-fisherman1449
striker1697
spearman1815
gaff-man1875
grainer1894
spear-gunner1951
1449 in Sharp Cov. Myst. (1825) 193 Item, ij sperberrers..ij d.
?1518 Cocke Lorelles Bote sig. B.vjv Tankarde berers,..and spere planers.
1876 G. W. Cox Gen. Hist. Greece ii. i. 103 His spear-bearer Gyges.
1895 J. Menzies Cynewulf's Elene 25 The great spear-hurler, who the hosts to battle led.
1951 T. C. Roughley Fish & Fisheries Austral. ix. 309 Members will not..seek quarrels with line~fishermen or other spear-fishermen regarding priority rights of fishing at any place.
1962 Underwater Swimming (‘Know the Game’ Ser.) 19/1 The spearfisherman should always carry a knife.
1962 Underwater Swimming (‘Know the Game’ Ser.) 19/1 An added safety device is to have a float anchored in the diving area to which the spearfisher can go to rest or leave his catch.
1982 Times 21 July 3/3 Dr Paul Cragg, a biologist, was in favour of resuming grants for spearfishermen.
b.
(a) With verbal nouns (objective or instrumental).
(i)
spear-bearing n.
ΚΠ
1861 F. A. Paley Æschylus' Persians (ed. 2) 149 (note) Archers, or Persians, are again opposed to spear-bearing Greeks.
spear-breaking n.
ΚΠ
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward III. iii. 54 I should otherwise have had spear-breaking between you and my cousin of Orleans.
spear-fish v. [as a back-formation] (intransitive and transitive)
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > type or method of fishing > [verb (intransitive)] > fish with spear
spear-fish1962
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > type or method of fishing > [verb (transitive)] > catch fish with spear
poach1602
dart1624
peg1735
spear1755
harpoon1774
gig1816
spritsail-yard1833
gaff1844
grain1892
spear-fish1962
1962 Times 6 Apr. 7/2 Sail, snorkel, skin-dive, spear~fish in tropical Florida.
1963 Harper's Bazaar Jan. 65/1 On the Côte d'Azur, many of the big fish have been..spear-fished out of sight.
1973 J. Jones Touch of Danger xix. 106 I spearfished... Sonny..was no adept with flippers or speargun.
spear-fishing n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > type or method of fishing > [noun] > spearing
spear-fishing1601
shoaling1792
weequashing1792
gaffing1830
1601 Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot. 392/2 Lie cobill, curroch et speir fischingis super aqua de Spey.
1945 Newsweek 17 Sept. 113 (advt.) He'd organized a spear-fishing party, and this is the proper regalia—glass~front mask, flipper shoes, and a..spear.
1960 M. A. Gabrielsen et al. Aquatics Handbk. xiv. 102/1 Spear fishing is becoming a popular competitive as well as recreational sport.
1973 J. Jones Touch of Danger xix. 107 Sonny was against spearfishing for sport.
spear-pricking n.
ΚΠ
1895 H. Maxwell Duke of Brit. viii. 117 Forced by heavy blows and spear-prickings to resume progress.
(ii)
spear-brandishing adj.
ΚΠ
1848 T. A. Buckley tr. Homer Iliad 265 Spear-brandishing Polydamas came as an avenger.
spear-shaking adj.
ΚΠ
1867 W. Morris Life & Death of Jason vi. 119 Spear-shaking warrior and slim-ankled maid.
spear-splintering adj.
ΚΠ
1895 K. Grahame Golden Age 98 His spear-splintering crash of tourney.
spear-wielding adj.
ΚΠ
1851 T. A. Buckley tr. Homer Iliad ii. 26 Spear-wielding auxiliaries from many cities.
(b) Also similative.
spear-flashing adj.
ΚΠ
1937 E. Blunden Elegy 78 Against high blue Spear-flashing white the spire.
c. With past participles (instrumental).
spear-bound adj.
ΚΠ
1816 H. G. Knight Ilderim 280 The spear-bound steeds that ready harness'd fed.
spear-fallen adj.
ΚΠ
1824 J. Symmons tr. Æschylus Agamemnon 104 The blood-drop..from the spear-fallen man Drips apace.
spear-famed adj.
ΚΠ
1848 T. A. Buckley tr. Homer Iliad 42 These, spear-famed Idomeneus commanded.
spear-pierced adj.
ΚΠ
1863 J. H. Newman Verses Var. Occasions 33 Faint shadows of the spear-pierced side.
spear-shaken adj.
ΚΠ
1947 S. Spender Poems of Dedication iv. 56 Above the destroyed city reborn city..Tower of wings climbing spear-shaken skies.
spear-skilled adj.
ΚΠ
1848 T. A. Buckley tr. Homer Iliad 43 He killed Mynetes and spear-skilled Epistrophus.
spear-stuck adj.
ΚΠ
1943 D. Gascoyne Poems 1937–42 5 Whose are these hollow red-filmed eyes And thorn~spiked head and spear-stuck side?
spear-swept adj.
ΚΠ
1870 W. Morris Earthly Paradise: Pt. IV 364 In forefront of battle let him fall; Or..on some foeman's spear-swept wall.
spear-tipped adj.
ΚΠ
1954 W. Faulkner Fable 132 The spear-tipped iron fence beyond which the three sentries flanked the blank door beneath the three morning-windy flags.
d. With adjectives, as spear-headed, spear-pointed, spear-straight, etc.
ΚΠ
1561 Burning St. Paul's ⁋2 (Camden) A long and a speare pointed flame of fier.
1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres ii. 20 A speare-headed staffe, sharpe pointed with iron.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Phaseolus The American phaseolus, with a sinuated and spear-pointed leaf.
1777 R. Potter tr. Æschylus Tragedies 148 Sev'n chiefs of high command, In arms spear-proof, take their appointed stand.
1846 W. S. Landor Citation & Exam. Shakespere in Wks. II. 295 Rushes spear high.
1848 J. R. Lowell Poems 2nd Ser. 69 A stem..Standing spear-straight in the waist-deep moss.
1873 E. Spon Workshop Receipts 1st Ser. 59/2 No spear-pointed drill can be tempered hard enough not to break.
1919 J. Masefield Reynard the Fox ii. 107 With spear-straight stern.
e. In some specific names, as spear-bill, spear-billed (grebe), spear-leaf, spear-nosed (bat).
ΚΠ
1827 E. Griffith et al. Cuvier's Animal Kingdom II. 9 We may here add the Lunette,..spear-nosed bat.
1827 E. Griffith et al. Cuvier's Animal Kingdom V. 69 Phyllostoma Hastatum (Spear-leaf Phyllostome, or Javelin Bat).
1884 E. Coues Key to N. Amer. Birds (ed. 2) iii. 793 Æchmophorus. Spear-bill [Index, Spear-billed] Grebes.
C3.
a. Special combinations.† spear-egg-shaped adj. Botany Obsolete lanceolate-obovate.† spear-field n. Obsolete the field of battle.† spear-foot n. Obsolete (see quot.). † spear silver n. Scottish Obsolete a form of military tax or levy.† spear-stick n. Obsolete a spiked walking-stick.
spear-axe n. a spear with an axe-shaped head.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > spear or lance > [noun] > spear with axe-shaped head
spear-axe1859
1859 J. H. Ingraham Pillar of Fire i. xi. 189 The offensive weapons of the [Egyptian] army are the..spear-axe [etc.].
spear-carrier n. a carrier of a spear, a spearman: transferred as (a) originally Theatre slang, an actor with a walk-on part; hence, an unimportant participant; (b) U.S. colloquial, a proponent or ‘standard-bearer’ (cf. spear-head n. 1b).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > one who is unimportant > types of
cipher?1507
cog1934
spear-carrier1960
token1968
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > [noun] > supporter or encourager
friendOE
procurera1325
fautorc1330
voweec1380
corner-stonec1384
abettor1387
vocatec1390
procurator1395
maintainer?a1400
proctora1413
supporter1426
comforter1483
factorc1503
allower1528
advancer1536
affirmer?1541
agreer1548
encourager1562
fortifierc1565
favourer1567
aim-crier1597
suffragator1606
seconder1623
countenancera1625
affectionate1628
adstipulator1646
flesher1646
fauterera1662
advocate1735
sympathizer1816
sympathista1834
advocator1837
ite1852
rooter1889
spear-carrier1960
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > actor > [noun] > actor playing specific type of part > with little or nothing to say
property boy1685
supernumerary1755
walking gentleman1769
walking lady1769
figurant1775
statist1807
showgirl?1836
super1838
walker-on1876
property child1885
supe1885
walk-on1923
spear-carrier1960
1960 New Yorker 13 Aug. 97/1 The ‘Quartet’ is full of characters who in one novel may seem irritatingly superfluous spear-carriers,..but who in the ‘Quartet’ turn out to be members of a literary repertory company.
1963 Times 20 May 12/5 Most of those spear-carriers not only don't know where the United States is but they don't know where they are themselves.
1967 N.Y. Times 21 May 26/1 Dr. King had ‘emerged as the public spear~carrier of a civil disobedience program’.
1976 Times 18 Mar. 10 In Wisconsin on the same day Representative Morris Udall, the ‘liberal-progressive’ spear carrier, will have to win to stay in the race.
1981 N. Marsh Black Beech & Honeydew (rev. ed.) x. 215 The students..would begin to accept the enormous challenge of a Shakespeare play and their own real importance, if only as spear-carriers, in doing so.
1982 Sunday Sun-Times (Chicago) 20 June 100/1 By the time Breakfast at Wimbledon telecasts are beamed into the United States on Fourth of July weekend, American tennis pros Davis, Dunk and Hardie will have vacated their present lodging and be long gone from the venerable tournament that they graced momentarily as spear-carriers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > part defined by form or function > [adjective] > oval or circular
orbicular1753
suborbicular1753
lance-egged1787
rhomboid?1788
lance-ovala1794
spear-egg-shaped1796
lance-ovate1800
rhombic1805
1796 W. Withering Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 3) I. 82 Spear egg-shaped,..shaped like a spear towards the base, and like an egg towards its extremity.
1796 W. Withering Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 3) II. 474 Flower-scales spear-eggshaped, in pairs.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed encounter > battlefield > [noun]
fieldeOE
place?c1225
fletc1275
champ of battlec1300
champany?a1400
o laundon?a1400
palaestrac1425
battle-stead1487
fighting-stead1487
open fielda1500
spear-field1508
joining-place1513
camp1525
foughten field1569
battleground1588
Aceldama1607
champian?1611
field of honour1611
champaign1614
standing ground1662
fighting-field1676
battlefield1715
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. dii* To speid thame our ye spere feild enspringing thai sprent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > body or parts of horse > [noun] > foot or spec. foot
horse-foot1489
spear-foot1753
stirrup-foot1753
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. Spear-foot, of a horse, is the far~foot behind.
spear gun n. a type of weapon used in spearfishing which operates by firing a detachable harpoon; also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > spear > [noun] > spear gun
spear gun1951
1951 T. C. Roughley Fish & Fisheries Austral. ix. 303 The sport of fishing with spears or spear-guns under water..has had only a brief history.
1951 T. C. Roughley Fish & Fisheries Austral. ix. 304 Most Australian spear-gun fishermen use a gun with rubber as the motive power.
1979 J. Leasor Love & Land Beyond i. 7 The..five~pronged fork of an underwater spear gun.
spear-gunner n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fisher > [noun] > using spear
spear-fisher1449
spear-fisherman1449
striker1697
spearman1815
gaff-man1875
grainer1894
spear-gunner1951
1951 T. C. Roughley Fish & Fisheries Austral. ix. 308 Those responsible for such an attitude know little of the spear~gunner's activities.
spear-hand n. the hand with which a spear is usually held, thrown, etc.; the right hand or side.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > extremities > hand > [noun] > right hand
right handOE
destera1300
right halfc1350
right sidea1382
sword-hand1531
wand-hand1637
pistol hand1702
spear-hand1728
thumb-hand1750
whip hand1806
dexter1814
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Hand Spear-Hand, or Sword-Hand, is used for a Horseman's Right-Hand.
1824 J. Symmons tr. Æschylus Agamemnon 12 On the spear-hand and by the seat of state.
Categories »
spear-hook n. U.S. a kind of snap-hook or spring-hook for taking fish ( Cent. Dict.).
spear-nail n. (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2255/2 Spear-nail, one with a spear-shaped point.
spear-play n. exercise or fighting with spears.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > spear-play > [noun]
play of (the) cane(s1556
spear-running1575
hastilude1586
spear-playa1641
jerid1853
a1641 J. Smyth Berkeley MSS (1883) I. 325 Given to his Esquiers for to play at Spearplay at Bristoll, 26s 8d.
1885 C. J. Lyall Anc. Arab. Poetry 96 Steeds, in the spear-play skilled.
1894 Geogr. Jrnl. 3 479 I had the pleasure of witnessing a spear-play between two parties.
spear pyrites n. [translating German Spärkies (printed Spürkies) (coined by A. G. Werner, as described in F. A. Reuss Lehrb. der Mineralogie (1806) IV. 54)] Mineralogy = marcasite n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > types of mineral > sulphides and related minerals > [noun] > marcasite or related minerals
marcasite?c1425
pyrites1567
marcasin1601
Jew's stone1617
copperas-stone1640
brass lump1675
spear pyrites1837
1837 J. D. Dana Syst. Mineral. 405 White Iron Pyrites, Pyrites rhombicus... Spear Pyrites.
1865 H. Watts Dict. Chem. III. 402 White Iron pyrites, Marcasite, Radiated pyrites, Spear pyrites.
spear-running n. jousting with spears; now archaic.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > spear-play > [noun]
play of (the) cane(s1556
spear-running1575
hastilude1586
spear-playa1641
jerid1853
1575 J. Rolland Treat. Court Venus iv. f. 62 Than tuik thay in Iurnayis of Tornament, And speir rinning, with mony Interpryis.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward II. iv. 86 At the spear-running of Strasbourg.
spear-side n. [after Old English on spere-healfe] the male line of descent.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > lineage or descent > [noun] > a line of descent > side > male line or side
fatherkinc1405
sword-side1854
spear-side1861
patrilineage1949
patriline1957
1861 C. H. Pearson Early & Middle Ages Eng. 122 In his [Alfred's] will he declares his intention of..leaving his land on the spear-side.
1870 J. R. Lowell My Study Windows 246 Such and such qualities he got from a grandfather on the spear side.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > military exactions > [noun]
coynye1449
scutagec1460
spear silver1496
conduct-money1512
coat-money1557
bonaght1568
cessc1571
cosheringc1571
cessheryc1575
quartering-money1580
sessa1581
coshery1587
coatc1630
ship-money1636
shipping-money1640
ship-scot1640
conduct1644
trophy money1664
trophy tax1701
watch-mail1710
Saladine tax1728
1496 in T. Dickson Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1877) I. 324 To gadir in the spere siluer of Perth, Forfare, and Striuelinschire.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > support > [noun] > that which supports > something to lean on > staff to lean on > other types of walking stick
pikeOE
bourdona1300
pickc1330
pickstaff1356
pikestaff?a1500
gribble1578
supplejack1748
crutch-stick1780
spear-stick1801
kebbie1816
Penang lawyer1827
alpenstock1829
thumb-stick1945
1801 ‘Gabrielli’ Mysterious Husband II. 135 His spear stick, pelisse, &c. were at the Curate's.
spear tackle n. Australian an illegal tackle in rugby football in which a player is lifted and thrust to the ground head first; hence as v. transitive.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > rugby football > [noun] > foul
knock-on1845
throw on1845
foot-up1899
spear tackle1969
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > rugby football > play rugby football [verb (transitive)] > actions to player
maul1856
tackle1884
to hand off1886
screw1887
sidestep1911
smother1920
stiff-arm1927
sprig1939
spear tackle1969
card1986
yellow card2011
1969 Sun-Herald (Sydney) 13 July 36/2 Canterbury were penalised for a spear tackle on Cavanagh.
1977 Telegraph (Brisbane) 8 Nov. 3/3 He was injured after he was allegedly spear-tackled... A player is spear-tackled when an opponent tackles low, lifts the man with the ball high, turns him over and thrusts him into the ground head first.
spear-thrower n. an implement used to aid the throwing of a spear.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > spear or lance > [noun] > specific for throwing > hurled with throwing-stick > spear-throwing stick
throwing-stick1770
woomera1817
spear-thrower1827
throwing board1832
woomerang1849
throw-stick1869
atlatl1871
1827 P. Cunningham Two Years New S. Wales II. xx. 48 By means of their perpetual wars and the practices of spear-throwing, child-murder, and concubinage.
1871 E. B. Tylor Primitive Culture I. 60 The highest people known to have used the spear-thrower proper are the Aztecs.
b. In the names of plants, trees, etc. (see quots.).† spear crowfoot n. Obsolete
spear arum n.
ΚΠ
1845–50 A. H. Lincoln Familiar Lect. Bot. (new ed.) App. 220/1 Spear arum, Rensselaeria.
ΚΠ
1597 J. Gerard Herball ii. 815 Called..in English Speare Crowfoote, Spearewoort, and Banewoort.
spear-fern n.
ΚΠ
1867 W. W. Smyth Treat. Coal & Coal-mining 37 The Odontopteris, or tooth-fern, and Lonchopteris, or spear-fern, are [fossil] genera which occur less frequently.
spear-flower n.
ΚΠ
1891 Cent. Dict. Spear-flower, a tree or shrub of the large tropical and subtropical genus Ardisia of the Myrsineæ.
spear-lily n.
ΚΠ
1889 J. H. Maiden Useful Native Plants Austral. 621 Doryanthes excelsa... ‘Spear Lily.’ ‘ Giant Lily.’
spear- thistle n. (also spear-plume thistle)
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Compositae (composite plants) > [noun] > thistles
thistlec725
carduea1398
wolf's-thistlea1400
cardoona1425
wolf-thistle1526
cotton-thistle1548
gum-thistle1548
oat thistle1548
black chameleon1551
ixia1551
Saint Mary thistle1552
milk thistle1562
cow-thistle1565
bedeguar1578
carline1578
silver thistle1578
white chameleon1578
globe thistle1582
ball thistle1597
down thistle1597
friar's crown1597
lady's thistle1597
gummy thistle1598
man's blood1601
musk thistle1633
melancholy thistle1653
Scotch thistle1660
boar-thistle1714
spear- thistle1753
gentle thistle1760
woolly thistle1760
wool-thistle1769
bur-thistlea1796
Canada thistle1796
pine thistle1807
plume thistle1814
melancholy plume thistle1825
woolly-headed thistle1843
dog thistle1845
dwarf thistle1846
welted thistle1846
pixie glove1858
Mexican thistle1866
Syrian thistle1866
bull thistle1878
fish belly1878
fish-bone-thistle1882
green thistle1882
herringbone thistle1884
Californian thistle1891
winged thistle1915
fish-thistles-
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Thistle The broad-leaved spear-Thistle.
1777 E. Jacob Plantæ Favershamienses 19 Carduus lanceolatus, Spear-Thistle.
1844 H. Stephens Bk. of Farm III. 1066 The biennial spear-thistle, Cnicus lanceolatus, the spines of which breaking in the flesh, give acute pain when touched.
1855 A. Pratt Flowering Plants & Ferns Great Brit. III. 231 (Spear Plume Thistle.) Heads of flowers large, mostly solitary.
1872 H. Macmillan True Vine vii. 320 In the common spear-thistle, each plant produces upwards of a hundred seed-vessels.
spear-wood n.
ΚΠ
1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. II. 1077/2 Spearwood, Acacia doratoxylon.
1874 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. (rev. ed.) Suppl. 1343/2 Spearwood, also Eucalyptus doratoxylon.
c. In the names of fishes.
spear-beak n.
ΚΠ
1896 R. Lydekker Royal Nat. Hist. V. 507 The extinct Jurassic spear-beaks (Aspidorhynchus) constitute a second family.
spear dog n.
ΚΠ
1848 Zoologist 6 1975 Picked Dog, Spear Dog, Spinax acanthias.
spear-fish n. (see quots.).
ΚΠ
1882 D. S. Jordan & C. H. Gilbert Synopsis Fishes N. Amer. 119 Carpiodes cyprinus... Quillback; Spear-fish; Sail-fish; Skimback.
1882 D. S. Jordan & C. H. Gilbert Synopsis Fishes N. Amer. 420 Tetrapturus albidus, Bill-fish; Spear-fish.
1888 G. B. Goode Amer. Fishes 241 In Cuba, the Spear-fishes are called ‘Aguja’.
Draft additions March 2019
spear phishing n. [after spear-fishing n. at Compounds 2b(a)(i)] Computing a form of phishing (phishing n.) in which specific individuals, companies, etc., are targeted for personal information.
ΚΠ
2004 washingtonpost.com 18 Nov. (Internet Archive Wayback Machine 8 Aug. 2007) Some of the sneakiest ‘spear phishing’ scams target eBay customers, mainly because buyers and sellers are accustomed to receiving e-mails prompting them to take certain actions at specific times.
2014 C. J. Forsyth & H. Copes Encycl. Social Deviance 506/1 A specific type of spear phishing that targets more lucrative upper managers is referred to as ‘whaling’.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
spearn.2
/spɪə/, U.S. /spɪ(ə)r/ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > [noun] > superstructure above a roof > spire
steeple1473
spear1480
spire-steeple1559
spire1596
spiracle1842
stump-spire1842
spirelet1848
needle-spire1864
Skylon1950
1480 W. Worcester in J. Nasmith Itineraria (1778) 221 Altitudo de le spere sicut modo fracta continet 200 pedes.
1480 W. Worcester in J. Nasmith Itineraria (1778) 241 Spera sive pinaculum cum turri quadrata ecclesiæ Beatæ Mariæ de Radclyff.]
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. clxxixv Chemnys also as dyodorus sayes Byldyd a speere hye and wonderous... This speere was costely dere and sumptuous.
1596 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent (rev. ed.) 287 The speare or steeple of which Churche was fired by lightening.
1600 T. Lowe et al. Let. 4 Aug. in J. Strype Stow's Survey of London (1720) I. ii. vii. 115/1 Your Lordship, being the Owner of the greatest part of the said Speare, or Steeple.
c1605 Acct.-bk. W. Wray in Antiquary (1896) 32 212 The great spere of St. Wilfrides steple.
1653 H. More Antidote against Atheisme i. iv. §2 If you say it consists of Points,..I can demonstrate that every Spear or Spire-Steeple is as thick as it is long.
a1753 P. Drake Memoirs (1755) II. iii. 79 A great and rich Cloyster,..where there is a very fine Church that has four Spears.
2.
a. The plumule or rudimentary shoot of a seed; spec. the acrospire of grain.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > seed > [noun] > parts of > plumule or rudimentary shoot
spirec1374
springa1400
sprout?1548
plume1578
spear1647
germen1651
acrospire1675
sprit1682
mistressa1722
plumula1727
plumule1727
plumelet1783
gemmule1844
stem-bud1877
epicotyl1880
1647 R. Herrick To finde God in Noble Numbers 2 Tell me the motes, dust, sands, and speares Of Corn, when Summer shakes his eares.
1676 M. Cook Manner of raising Forrest-trees 63 Watering them [nuts, etc.] may kill them, by making the kernel swell too hastily, and so crack it before the spear causeth it; or it may Mould and stupifie the spear.
a1722 E. Lisle Observ. Husbandry (1757) 91 By the time the spear is shot under ground the corn is well rooted.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. (at cited word) In malting or other germination of grain, the spear is that sprout which develops into the future stalk, as distinct from the shoots which form rootlets.
b. A blade, shoot, or sprout (of grass, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > shoot, sprout, or branch > [noun] > shoot or blade
chire1398
bladec1440
spire1646
spear1841
1841 G. Catlin Lett. N. Amer. Indians II. lv. 203 Not a spear of grass is broken or bent by his feet.
1865 Athenæum No. 1979. 444/3 Leaves of trees and spears of corn.
1873 J. Miller Life amongst Modocs xx. 253 He pointed to the new leaves of the trees, [and] the spears that were bursting through the ground.
1896 W. D. Howells Impressions & Experiences 283 Every spear of grass had been torn from it.
c. Similarly of hair.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > hair > [noun] > shoot or sprout of
spear1852
spire1868
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin (U.K. ed.) xxv If they's to pull every spear o' har out o' my head it wouldn't do no good.
d. The edible shoot, including stem and tip or head, of asparagus or of sprouting broccoli (esp. calabrese).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > fruit and vegetables > vegetables > cabbage or kale > [noun] > shoot of broccoli
spear1952
the world > food and drink > food > fruit and vegetables > vegetables > stalk vegetables > [noun] > asparagus > shoot of
spear1952
1952 Quick Freezing Jan. 9/1 At a Birds Eye press conference held recently it was stated that three new products have been added to that range. These are: (1) Chicken livers... (2) Broccoli spears, broccoli cuts... (3) Pineapple slices in syrup.
1966 Harrod's Food News Sept. 2/1 Brocolli Spears—8 oz. 2/11.
1966 Harrod's Food News Sept. 5/1 Asparagus spears Spanish (5½ in. long)—17 oz. tin 4/9.
1969 S. G. Harrison et al. Oxf. Bk. Food Plants 162/1 Asparagus..is usually considered to be a luxury vegetable. The part eaten is the young shoot or ‘spear’.
1974 P. Westland Taste of Country ii. 37/2 Cover with the cooked broccoli spears and then the cheese sauce.
1979 Sunset Apr. 178/2 A light entrée, it's especially good when accompanied with sliced ham..and additional spears of freshly cooked asparagus.
3. southern dialect.
a. collective. Reeds, esp. as a material for thatching, or for plastering upon.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > plants, grasses, or reeds > [noun] > for thatching > reed
reeda1398
spear1794
spear reed1812
Norfolk reed1952
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > plants, grasses, or reeds > [noun] > reed > for plastering upon
reedOE
spear1794
spear reed1812
1794 Trans. Soc. Arts 12 144 This prevents its being overrun with spear and sedge.
1819 Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. 13 Feb. 658 In England we sometimes thatch with reeds, which in Hampshire, are called spear.
1894 Times 14 June 14/1 The long coarse herbage which fringes the banks of rivers and other streams, and is locally termed ‘spear’, makes excellent thatch for hay and corn stacks.
b. A stem or stalk of a reed, osier, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > a grass or grasses > reedy or aquatic grasses > [noun] > reed or the reed plant > reed or stalk
reedOE
calamusa1398
cane1398
roselc1450
whistle-stalka1657
spear1844
1844 W. Barnes Poems Rural Life in Dorset Dial. (1848) 388 Spears,..the stems of the reed arundo phragmites, sometimes employed instead of laths to hold plaster.
1905 Westm. Gaz. 12 Aug. 5/1 She walked down to the water's edge, through the green osier spears, bareheaded.
c. attributive in spear-bed, spear reed.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > plants, grasses, or reeds > [noun] > for thatching > reed
reeda1398
spear1794
spear reed1812
Norfolk reed1952
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > plants, grasses, or reeds > [noun] > reed > for plastering upon
reedOE
spear1794
spear reed1812
1812 P. Hawker Diary (1893) I. 46 Second storeys of many houses of spear reed, cemented..with plaster.
1863 J. R. Wise New Forest 287 The phrase ‘spire-bed’, or ‘spear-bed field’, is very common, meaning a particular field, near where the ‘spires’ grow.
1874 T. Hardy Far from Madding Crowd I. xxii. 251 I believe Farmer Boldwood kissed her behind the spear-bed at the sheep-washing.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
spearn.3
/spɪə/, U.S. /spɪ(ə)r/ 1. † b. transferred. A stripling, youth. Also figurative. Obsolete.
a. A young tree, esp. a young oak; a sapling. Also attributive in spear oak, spear tree.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by habit > tree or woody plant > characterized by age or life cycle > [noun] > young tree or sapling
spire1392
sapling1415
springa1450
sipling1513
spear1543
gelding1562
saple1589
tiller1664
treeling1847
timberline1867
treelet1874
pole1882
the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by habit > tree or woody plant > characterized by age or life cycle > [adjective] > young
sapling1700
spear1891
1543 in J. R. Walbran Mem. Abbey St. Mary of Fountains (1863) I. 412 Yonge saplings, speres of okes and ashes.
1891 Pall Mall Gaz. 23 Mar. 3/3 Large numbers of spear trees are destroyed while decaying pollards are left standing.
1895 Daily News 20 May 6/5 Bury Wood, which is mainly composed of spear oaks, horn-beam, and blackthorn.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > young person > youth or young man > [noun]
frumberdlingc1000
young manOE
childc1225
hind1297
pagec1300
youtha1325
fawnc1369
swainc1386
stripling1398
boy1440
springaldc1450
jovencel1490
younkera1522
speara1529
gorrel1530
lad1535
hobbledehoy1540
cockerel1547
waga1556
spring1559
loonc1560
hensure1568
youngster1577
imp1578
pigsney1581
cocklinga1586
demy1589
muchacho1591
shaver1592
snipper-snappera1593
callant1597
spaught1598
stubble boy1598
ghillie1603
codling1612
cuba1616
skippera1616
man-boy1637
sprig1646
callow1651
halflang1660
stubbed boy1683
gossoon1684
gilpie1718
stirraha1722
young lion1792
halfling1794
pubescent1795
young man1810
sixteener1824
señorito1843
tad1845
boysie1846
shaveling1854
ephebe1880
boychick1921
lightie1946
young blood1967
studmuffin1986
a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Ciiiv In faythe lyberte is nowe a lusty spere.
a1529 J. Skelton Poems against Garnesche in Poet Wks. (1843) I. 121 At Gynys when ye ware But a slendyr spere, Dekkyd lewdly in your gere.
2. technical. A pump-rod. Also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > pump > [noun] > rod or staff
spear1729
stave1750
1729 W. Wriglesworth MS. Log-bk. of ‘Lyell’ 9 Oct. Took in..18 small Sparrs, and 9 Spears.
1731 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 37 7 The four Necks of the Crank have each an Iron Spear, or Rod, fixed at their upper Ends to the respective Libra, or Lever.
1750 T. R. Blanckley Naval Expositor 124 Stave or Spear (Pump Hand) is a long Rod of Iron with an Eye at the upper End, which Hooks to the Brake.
1824 Mechanic's Mag. No. 43. 238 Which requires least manual labour in the case of a common ship-pump, a long or a short spear?
1849 G. C. Greenwell Gloss. Terms Coal Trade Northumberland & Durham 49 Spears are made of Memel or Norway fir, in lengths of about 40 feet, and joined together by spear-plates.
1862 Times 28 Jan. The engine from which the pumps derive their motive power..and the great beam to which their ‘spears’ or rods were attached.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
spearn.4
Devon and Cornwall dialect.
A thatching rod. Also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > [noun] > thatching equipment > rod for fastening down thatch
spelk1563
springle1657
thatching-rod1703
spar1746
spear1837
spick1890
thatch-rod1903
ledger1916
ligger1953
1837 J. F. Palmer Gloss. in M. Palmer Dialogue Devonshire Dial. Spears or Spear-sticks, the pointed sticks, doubled and twisted, used for thatching.
1891 R. P. Chope Dial. Hartland, Devonshire (at cited word) Slatting..shoots of withy or nut-halse by means of a spear-hook, which is like a narrow-bladed bill-hook.
1899 F. W. Bourne Billy Bray 55 (E.D.D.) I told the farmer to bring three hundred sheaves [of reed].., and some spears for them.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online September 2018).
spearn.5
/spɪə/, U.S. /spɪ(ə)r/ rare.
The act of spearing or striking with a spear, spec. in pig-sticking.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting specific animals > [noun] > pigs > the act of spearing
spear1903
1903 M. G. Gerard Leaves from Diaries vii. 224 The gainer of first spear in the final heat becoming the winner of the Cup.
1903 M. G. Gerard Leaves from Diaries vii. 224 The rule is that upon anyone touching the pig and calling ‘Spear’, should any other man..have reason to question the claim, he must shout ‘No spear’.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
spearv.1
/spɪə/, U.S. /spɪ(ə)r/ Obsolete (exc. dialect).
1.
a. transitive. To shut or close (a door, lid, etc.) firmly or securely; †to bar or block (a way).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > close (a door, window, etc.)
shutc1000
steek?c1225
makec1300
speara1325
yark toc1400
to shut toc1450
to put toa1500
warpc1540
enclose1563
to pull to1673
dub1753
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > close by obstruction or block up > block the way or a passage
forsetc900
withseta1300
stop13..
speara1325
withsperre1330
to stop one's way1338
shut1362
forbara1375
beseta1400
stopc1400
precludea1513
interclude1526
to shut up1526
forestall1528
fence1535
hedge1535
quar1542
foreclose1548
forestop1566
to flounder up1576
obstruct1578
bar1590
retrench1590
to shut the door in (also upon) (a person's) face1596
barricade1606
barricado1611
thwartc1630
blocka1644
overthwart1654
rebarricado1655
to choke up1673
blockade1696
embarrass1735
snow1816
roadblock1950
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 384 He ben don ut of blisses erd, Cherubin hauet ðe gates sperd.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 13166 Sire Richer saw, & Beduer herde, Þat þer enemis þer weyes sperde.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 18086 Spers [Gött. Speris] your yates, þis es na gamen.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5618 In þis kist þe barn sco did. Quen it spird was wit þe lid,..Sco laid it on þe water fame.
a1400–50 Alexander 5545 In at a wicket he went & wynly it speris.
1448 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 226 And qhan he com þedder þe doris were fast sperid.
1542 T. Becon Potacion for Lent sig. I.viijv Heauen gates were speared agaynst vs for the synne of our fyrst father Adam.
c1550 J. Bale Image Both Churches (new ed.) (East) 30 Speared is Gods Temple, when his true worshipping is hid.
1894 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words Spar, spare, spear.
b. With up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > shut up (a place)
steeka1250
shut1340
to shut in1390
spear1445
seclude1451
to shut up1530
mure1550
block1630
lock1773
to lock up1824
seal1931
to sew up1962
to lock down1980
1445 tr. Claudian's De Consulatu Stilichonis in Anglia (1905) 28 275 Where as townys were longe speryd vp, he dare sette wide þe yates.
?1548 J. Bale Comedy Thre Lawes Nature iii. sig. Dij I close vp heauen, And speare vp paradyce.
2. In general sense: To close, shut, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)]
beloukeOE
tinea900
bitunc1000
forshutc1000
sparc1175
louka1225
bisteke?c1225
spear?c1225
closec1275
knita1398
fastena1400
upclosec1440
to shut up1526
reclude1550
upspeara1563
lucken1568
to make up1582
hatcha1586
belocka1616
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 65 Þet ȝe þer toȝeines..sparen [a1250 Nero tunen] ower echþurles.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter x. 5 His egh lidys..þat now ere oppynd & now sperd.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter cxl. 3 Swa be oure lippis opyn til shrift, and sperd til excusynge of syn.
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VII. 121 For overmoche sorwe the herte is stoken and spered.
a1400–50 Alexander 3649 Brant vp he sittis, Springis out a spere, sperid all þe platis.
a1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula 39 Þe lacertes and þe synowes speryng and opnyng þe lure.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 283/1 Lacyn, or spere wythe a lace, fibulo.
1542 T. Becon New Pollecye of Warre sig. J.i Howe many wynke and speare theyr eyes, because they wyll not se it.
c1550 J. Bale Image Both Churches (new ed.) (Wyer) E v So was it [a book] afore speared by the decre of God.
3.
a. To shut up or confine (a person) in a prison or other place. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > confinement > confine [verb (transitive)]
beloukOE
loukOE
sparc1175
pena1200
bepen?c1225
pind?c1225
prison?c1225
spearc1300
stopc1315
restraina1325
aclosec1350
forbara1375
reclosea1382
ward1390
enclose1393
locka1400
reclusea1400
pinc1400
sparc1430
hamperc1440
umbecastc1440
murea1450
penda1450
mew?c1450
to shut inc1460
encharter1484
to shut up1490
bara1500
hedge1549
hema1552
impound1562
strain1566
chamber1568
to lock up1568
coop1570
incarcerate1575
cage1577
mew1581
kennel1582
coop1583
encagea1586
pound1589
imprisonc1595
encloister1596
button1598
immure1598
seclude1598
uplock1600
stow1602
confine1603
jail1604
hearse1608
bail1609
hasp1620
cub1621
secure1621
incarcera1653
fasten1658
to keep up1673
nun1753
mope1765
quarantine1804
peg1824
penfold1851
encoop1867
oubliette1884
jigger1887
corral1890
maroon1904
to bang up1950
to lock down1971
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 448 Onon he ferde To þe tour þer he woren sperde.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2194 He dede hem binden and leden dun And speren faste in his prisun.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxiv. 113 He spered him in amanges his tresour withouten mete or drink.
c1460 Play of Sacrament 46 In an hoote ouyn [they] speryd hym fast.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iv. 14 Yai stythly speryt Bath in fetrys and in presoune.
1542 T. Becon Potacion for Lent sig. F.iiij Fastynge speareth vp & encloseth as though it were in a narrowe prison the extraordinary & vnlawfull mocions.
1548 T. Becon Solace of Soule sig. A.vv Therfore doth he..snarle hym with thys fetters and chenes, spearethe hym in thys prison & dondgen.
b. To shut up, put away, or enclose, in some receptacle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > enclosing or enclosure > enclose [verb (transitive)] > enclose in a receptacle or surrounding mass > in a receptacle
spear1303
to shut upc1400
shrine1592
occlude1623
stop1714
encase1727
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 3656 Cunsel of shryfte sperd yn hys breste, He ne oght for to telle.
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 6134 Weyl I ferde Ar y, yn purs, penys sperde.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6888 Ilk waand þat þai þere bare He sperd wit-in þer santuare.
a1400 Minor Poems fr. Vernon Ms. xxiv. 195 In þi wombe þou speredest heuene Hele of god, vre mede.
1564 T. Becon Certayne Articles Christen Relig. f. clviii in Wks. iii When the disciples..dyd receaue his bodye they receiued it neither shutte or speared, or enclosed on ye bread.
c. To unite or join closely.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > join (together) [verb (transitive)] > join closely, intimately, or permanently
tiec1000
limea1225
knit1340
sold1388
marryc1450
compact1530
spear?1548
solder1589
cementc1604
ferruminate1623
bewed1674
weld1802
wed1818
Siamese1830
intermarry1863
to pull together1925
mate1959
?1548 J. Bale Image Bothe Churches (new ed.) i. sig. Cvi They are speared vp together fast vnto hym with the shyninge cheane of charyte.
4. To exclude; to shut out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > be on the outside of [verb (transitive)] > keep or shut out
loukc1275
speara1300
beshutc1330
forbarc1330
warn?a1366
to close outa1382
to shut outc1384
steeka1393
again-louka1400
to keep outc1425
outshutc1450
seclude1498
to stop outc1530
to hedge out1549
confine1577
to hold out1583
out-bar1590
debar1593
excommunicate1602
expel1604
immurec1616
a1300 Cursor Mundi 25183 Þat thoru vr liuelade wick we sper fra us þe rightwis demester.
13.. Seven Penit. Psalms 72 in Eng. Stud. X. 234 In heuene, whan þou holdist alle, Late me not be þer out isperd.
c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 228 Wo to ȝou þat speryn out of ȝoure herte þe mynde of cristes passioun.
c1450 Cov. Myst. (Shaks. Soc.) 31 This blysse I spere ffrom ȝow ryth fast.
5. absol. To perform the act of closing or shutting.
ΚΠ
c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 3835 Of wilk þe pape þe kays bers, Whar-with he bathe opens and spers.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 17357 Þai sperd fast wit lok and kai.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13329 O þaim þou sal þe caiss ber, For to oppen bath and sper.
1538 J. Bale Tragedye Promyses God vii O perfyght keye of David,..whych openest and no man speareth.
c1550 J. Bale Image Both Churches (new ed.) (Day) I iij With all auctorite..to open or to speare.
6. intransitive. To close or shut; to admit of being closed. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > become closed or shut [verb (intransitive)]
speara1300
closec1385
inclusea1450
wink1642
upclose1852
a1300 Cursor Mundi 1683 Þu sal..Mak a dor wit mesur wide, A windou sperand wel on hei.
1551 J. Bale Actes Eng. Votaryes: 2nd Pt. f. xxxviijv Whyls the dore..oft tymes opened and speared agayne.
Derivatives
speared adj.1
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > [adjective] > closed or shut
lokenOE
yclosed1377
luckena1400
speareda1400
closec1400
shut1474
yschutte?a1475
parrocked?1510
closed1526
folded1570
occluse1601
shut-up1614
steeked1709
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10091 He com in at þe yatt sperd.
c1450 Mirour Saluacioun (Roxb.) 24 And bot it is merveille and more to passe thorgh spered ȝate.
ˈspearing adj. and n.1
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > [noun] > closing or shutting > closing a door, window, etc.
spearinga1400
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > [adjective] > closed or shut > able to be
spearinga1400
shuttable1854
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 1683 Þou shalt..Make..A sperynge wyndowe als on heȝe.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 284/2 Latchynge, or sperynge wythe a lacche, clitura, pessulatus.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 460/1 Sloot, or schytyl of sperynge,..pessulum.
1542 T. Becon Potacion for Lent sig. I.viijv The spearynge of the chyrch dore.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
spearv.2
/spɪə/, U.S. /spɪ(ə)r/ intransitive. Of corn, etc.: to sprout, germinate. Also with out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by growth or development > grow or vegetate [verb (intransitive)] > sprout or put forth new growth
spriteOE
wrideOE
brodc1175
comea1225
spirec1325
chicka1400
sprouta1400
germin?1440
germ1483
chip?a1500
spurgea1500
to put forth1530
shootc1560
spear1570
stock1574
chit1601
breward1609
pullulate1618
ysproutc1620
egerminate1623
put1623
germinate1626
sprent1647
fruticate1657
stalk1666
tiller1677
breerc1700
fork1707
to put out1731
stool1770
sucker1802
stir1843
push1855
braird1865
fibre1869
flush1877
1570 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandry (new ed.) f. 32v Mault being wel spered the more it wil cost.
1655 R. Child in S. Hartlib Legacy (ed. 3) 91 Rooks, which pluck up in light land, presently after the Corn speareth, much Corn.
1678 Philos. Trans. 1677 (Royal Soc.) 12 946 As soon as the Heads begin to shoot or speer within the ground,..howe or pare the ground all over very thin.
a1722 E. Lisle Observ. Husbandry (1757) 114 Fourteen barley-corns of the twenty had put forth roots, but had not speared.
a1722 E. Lisle Observ. Husbandry (1757) 139 In turning up wet wheat straw..I found..many loose grains speared out.
1763 J. Mills New Syst. Pract. Husbandry III. 156 That surface must be so fine, and so lightly compressed, that the seed may spear through it.
1886 Science 7 174 The single blade ‘spears’ first into three, then into five or more side-shoots.
Derivatives
speared adj.2
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by growth or development > [adjective] > that has grown
upsprungc1000
sprouted?c1475
sprungc1485
speared1577
sprit1688
shot?1830
in full flush1893
1577–82 N. Breton Toys of Idle Head in Wks. (1879) I. 58/2 What their shiftes should be,..by speered Mault the Bruer soone will see.
1765 Museum Rusticum 3 151 It would have been better..if more of it had been grown last year, when the wheat was almost all speared.
ˈspearing n.2
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by growth or development > [noun] > sprouting or germination
shutea1300
springinga1387
bearinga1398
germination?1440
springing1531
sprouting1547
blading1548
shoot1572
sprout1586
spring1597
putting1623
eruption1626
spindling1626
germinating1644
spearing1707
spiring1733
flushing1810
plantulation1819
germing1832
germinance1841
stooling1854
coming up1908
1707 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husbandry (1721) II. 23 You may prepare them for spearing by laying the [Ash-] Keys in Earth or Sand.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
spearv.3
/spɪə/, U.S. /spɪ(ə)r/ 1. figurative and in extended use.1843 T. Carlyle Past & Present iv. iii. 352 Spearing down and destroying Falsehood.1855 Ld. Tennyson Maud iv. iv, in Maud & Other Poems 17 The Mayfly is torn by the swallow, the sparrow spear'd by the shrike.
a. transitive. To pierce or transfix with a spear.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > type or method of fishing > [verb (transitive)] > catch fish with spear
poach1602
dart1624
peg1735
spear1755
harpoon1774
gig1816
spritsail-yard1833
gaff1844
grain1892
spear-fish1962
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > wound > wound with sharp weapon
woundc760
stickOE
snese?c1225
stokea1300
steekc1300
bearc1330
stangc1340
chop1362
broach1377
foinc1380
strikec1390
borea1400
dag?a1400
gorea1400
gridea1400
staira1400
through-girdc1405
thrustc1410
runc1425
to run throughc1425
traversec1425
spitc1430
through-seeka1500
stitch1527
falchiona1529
stab1530
to stab (a person) in1530
stob?1530
rutc1540
rove?c1550
push1551
foxa1566
stoga1572
poniard1593
dirk1599
bestab1600
poach1602
stiletto1613
stocka1640
inrun1653
stoccado1677
dagger1694
whip1699
bayonetc1700
tomahawk1711
stug1722
chiv1725
kittle1786
sabre1790
halberd1825
jab1825
skewer1837
sword1863
poke1866
spear1869
whinger1892
pig-stick1902
shiv1926
1755 in S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth VI. 251 A prodigious ray..was speared by the Negroes at Guadaloupe.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering III. xv. 285 The only light..was a quantity of wood burned to charcoal in an iron grate, such as they use in spearing salmon by night.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward I. x. 246 He would questionless have made in and speared the brute.
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. l. 480 I have seen them spear the eider on the wing.
1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1875) III. xii. 176 The poet tells us how the King saw his men speared and shot down.
b. To dismiss. Australian slang. Cf. spear n.1 2b.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > lack of work > [verb (transitive)] > dismiss or discharge
to put awaya1387
discharge1428
dismiss1477
to put out of wages1542
discard1589
to turn away1602
to put off1608
disemploy1619
to pay off1648
to pay off1651
to turn out1667
to turn off1676
quietus1688
strip1756
trundle1794
unshop1839
shopc1840
to lay off1841
sack1841
drop1845
to give (a person) the shoot1846
bag1848
swap1862
fire1879
to knock off1881
bounce1884
to give (a person) the pushc1886
to give (a person) the boot or the order of the boot1888
bump1899
spear1911
to strike (a medical practitioner, etc.) off the register1911
terminate1920
tramp1941
shitcan1961
pink slip1966
dehire1970
resize1975
to give a person his jotters1990
1911 ‘S. Rudd’ Dashwoods 13 If I was the boss here I would. I'd spear him without warnin'.
c. To cause to move like a spear; to spearhead.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impelling or driving > impel or drive [verb (transitive)] > at speed
shootc1075
whirlc1386
whizz1836
rocket1837
spear1920
society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)] > spearhead (an attack)
spear1951
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > going first or in front > go in front of [verb (transitive)] > go at front of moving body
leadc1380
heada1522
spear-head1938
spear1951
1920 W. Camp Football without Coach v. 85 The ball should be held in the hand and speared through the air by giving the hand a twist as the ball leaves it.
1951 Daily Progress (Charlottesville, Va.) 11 Feb. 1/6 The Second Division at the end of its eight-day battle had set the pattern of the Eighth Army's new hunt-and-kill offensive with aggressive tank forces spearing the way.
1969 G. MacBeth War Quartet 46 So when I Speared the first squadron in the dawn assault Over the cliffs, that wool..Warmed the heart's beating.
d. To beg; to obtain by begging. U.S. slang.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > poverty > mendicancy > beg or be beggar [verb]
panhandle1890
spear1912
1912 Railroad Man's Mag. Apr. 493/1 They had mooched the stem and threw their feet, And speared four~bits on which to eat.
1926 Amer. Speech 2 390/1 To make the grade or connect is to get the amount of money one is after. Spear is another word for connecting.
1942 L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §370/3 Beg; request a loan or gift,..spear.
2.
a. intransitive. To rise up like a spear. Also, of a plant: to thrust up spear-like leaves.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > vertical extent > become high(er) [verb (intransitive)]
astyc950
arisec1225
rise?a1400
rearc1400
heighten1567
stem1577
upclimb1582
taper1589
clamber?1611
shoot1648
relevate1661
ascend1667
spring1673
spear1822
1822 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage to Land of Burns 151 Do ye see a steeple yonner, spearing up frae amang the massy trees?
1891 Illustr. London News 7 Feb. 174/1 The two broken masts, swinging and spearing high up under the..heaps of vapour.
1925 G. W. Deeping Sorrell & Son viii. § 5 The bulbs spearing up in the borders.
b. To move like a spear. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > charge > [verb (intransitive)] > advance like spear (of tanks)
spear1944
1944 Times 14 Apr. 4/2 Yesterday the tanks handed over to the infantry, and speared south-east and south-west towards the Crimean mountains.
Draft additions 1993
3. transitive (and absol.)
a. Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, etc.: to jab (an opponent) illegally with the point or end of the stick. North American.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > winter sports > ice hockey > engage in ice hockey [verb (transitive)] > actions
cross-check1896
butt-end1926
deke1961
spear1963
slapshoot1968
high-stick1971
stick1981
1963 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 14 Mar. 7/5 Spearing..is sometimes done in self-defense... ‘I spear any forward who runs interference and sticks too close.’
1977 Washington Post 3 Jan. d2/1 The Blues' Garry Unger was observed shoving the butt end of his stick at Marson, then Gassoff speared Patey.
1988 Washington Post 10 Apr. c11/2 I like hard-nosed hockey. But the use of the stick tonight was atrocious... Rick Tocchet spears Dale Hunter above and below the eye, he spears Scott Stevens.
b. American Football. To ram or butt (an opponent) illegally with the helmet.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > play American football [verb (intransitive)] > actions or manoeuvres
rush1873
return1884
block1889
goal1900
drive1902
interfere1920
submarine1925
lateral1927
lateral1930
pull1933
to hand off1937
shovel pass1948
bootleg1951
scramble1964
spear1964
blitz1965
convert1970
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > play American football [verb (transitive)] > actions to players
tackle1884
nail1888
block1889
quarterback1892
rough1904
rush1913
to fake out1931
straight-arm1934
submarine1941
red-dog1950
clothesline1959
spear1964
sack1969
1964 Jrnl. Amer. Med. Assoc. 4 May 419/1 Over 60% of the players receiving head injuries were coached to ‘spear’, or use their helmet-protected heads against the bodies of the opponents.
1971 C. Olson Prevention Football Injuries v. 45 About 60% of head injuries and 44% of neck injuries occurred in players who were coached to ‘spear’.
1980 N.Y. Times 28 Oct. a37/5 From film study, it looked as if Hartenstine had speared Jaworski with his helmet and at the least should have been penalized 15 yards.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1c725
n.21480
n.3a1529n.41837n.51903v.1?c1225v.21570v.31755