spear
UK[spɪə(r)]US[spɪr]
n
a weapon with a long wooden shaft and a sharp pointed tip, used for thrusting or throwing.
v
to pierce or strike with a spear or a similar pointed object.
Etymology
the word 'spear' has a direct lineage from the old english 'spere', a term common to the germanic languages, such as old norse 'spjör' and old high german 'sper'. these all trace back to the proto-germanic root 'speru-', denoting a pole weapon. while an ultimate proto-indo-european source is uncertain, the word's form and meaning have remained remarkably stable for millennia, consistently referring to a long, pointed weapon used in hunting and warfare. its straightforward evolution from a concrete, physical object in ancient times to its identical modern referent exemplifies the preservation of core vocabulary within the germanic language family.
Analysis
the word is a simplex unit. it is derived from old english 'spere', which is of germanic origin. it functions as a complete lexical root.
Examples
the ancient warrior hurled his spear with great force.
fishermen sometimes spear fish in shallow waters.
the museum displayed a collection of bronze-age spears.