spear

Everyday

1. A long weapon or tool with a pointed tip, used for throwing or stabbing, especially for hunting or fishing. tree →
2. A long thin pointed shoot of a plant, such as a spear of asparagus. tree →
3. To push something pointed into something, such as spearing food with a fork. tree →
4. To catch or hunt with a spear. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons, early humans and many peoples hunted and fished with spears. In everyday life «to spear a chip with your fork» means to stab food to pick it up. In cooking, asparagus comes in spears. Phrases: «throw a spear», «spear fishing», «asparagus spears», «spear a piece».

Examples

• The hunters made spears from wood and sharp stones. tree →
• He threw the spear as far as he could. tree →
• She speared a sausage with her fork. tree →
• We had asparagus spears with dinner. tree →
• Some people go spear fishing near the reef. tree →
• The warrior's spear had a bronze tip. tree →
• The heron speared a fish with its sharp beak. tree →
• In the museum we saw a spear used thousands of years ago. tree →
• They snatched spears and shields from their foes. tree →

Note

Plural «spears». «Spear» rhymes with «near». A javelin is a light spear thrown in sport. Do not confuse «spear» with «sphere» (a ball shape). Sharp sticks and spears are dangerous; only use them with an adult.

In Jewish tradition

A spear is a weapon for fighting. The Torah tells of Phinehas taking one, Job describes a warhorse before the glittering spear, and King Rehoboam put spears in his cities' storehouses.

Interpretation. Phinehas took a spear to stop a plague among the Israelites. Tradition remembers his zeal and says God gave him a covenant of peace.

Examples

• And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from the midst of the congregation, and took a spear in his hand. (Torah NUM.25.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• The quiver rattleth upon him, the glittering spear and the javelin. (Writings JOB.39.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish-spears? (Writings JOB.40.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• And in every city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong. (Writings 2CH.11.12, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural «spears». «Spear» rhymes with «near». A javelin is a light spear thrown in sport. Do not confuse «spear» with «sphere» (a ball shape). Sharp sticks and spears are dangerous; only use them with an adult.