spear

A long stick with a sharp point, used to attack people or hunt animals.

• The hunter carried a spear.
• A warrior threw his spear at the enemy.
• The museum displays ancient spears and shields.

Similar words: lance

Common phrases: throw a spear, a sharp spear, spear and shield

A long, thin piece or shoot of a vegetable, especially asparagus.

• Put an asparagus spear on each plate.
• We grilled the tender spears with a little oil.
• She served the sandwich with a pickle spear.

Similar words: shoot, strip

Common phrases: an asparagus spear, a pickle spear, spear of asparagus

A long pointed tool with hooked tips, used to catch fish.

• He caught the fish with a spear.
• The fishing spear had three barbed points.
• They carried spears into the shallow river.

Similar words: fish gig

Common phrases: a fishing spear, a barbed spear, a three-pronged spear

To push a pointed object into something, often to pick it up.

• He speared a potato with his fork.
• She carefully speared the olives onto a wooden stick.
• Can you spear that last piece of cheese?

How to use it: spear something with something (She speared a piece of melon with her fork.)

Similar words: pierce, skewer, impale

Common phrases: spear with something, spear an olive, spear a potato

To push or throw a long, sharp weapon into a person or animal.

• They learned to spear fish.
• The hunter speared a large animal.
• People once speared salmon in this river.

Similar words: impale, pierce

Common phrases: spear a fish, spear an animal

Male, especially when compared with a female version or equivalent.

• The story gives the heroine a spear counterpart.
• He described the prince as the queen's spear equivalent.
• The writer contrasted the distaff character with her spear counterpart.

Similar words: male, masculine

Opposites: female

Common phrases: spear counterpart, spear equivalent

Connected with the men in a family or the family line through fathers.

• The title passed down the spear line.
• His spear ancestors came from the north.
• She traced the spear side of the family back four generations.

Similar words: paternal, patrilineal

Opposites: maternal

Common phrases: spear side, spear line