spear
spear — noun
1. a long stick with a sharp tip at one end, used in the past for hunting, fishing,
a long stick with a sharp tip at one end, used in the past for hunting, fishing, or fighting
The hunter carried a wooden spear with a sharp iron point.
carried a wooden spear + sharp iron point
At the history museum, visitors can examine bronze-tipped spears from the Zhou dynasty period.
bronze-tipped spears from [dynasty]
Fishermen on the island still use spears to catch fish from their boats.
Amihan carried an iron-tipped spear while tracking a wild boar with her father.
用法筆記
A spear can be either thrown through the air or held in the hand while thrusting. In modern contexts, spears are used mainly for traditional fishing or ceremonial purposes.
2. a young, thin stem that grows from a plant, especially one eaten as a vegetable
a young, thin stem that grows from a plant, especially one eaten as a vegetable
Putri grilled fresh asparagus spears with olive oil and a pinch of salt.
asparagus spears
Romi cut fresh asparagus spears from the garden for the family salad.
Chef Élise recommends cutting the woody ends off each asparagus spear before cooking.
Tanvi sliced the broccoli spears into thin strips and tossed them into the hot wok.
用法筆記
In food contexts, this term is almost always used with a specific plant name, such as asparagus spear or broccoli spear.
spear — verb
1. to push a spear or other long pointed object into an animal or fish in order to
to push a spear or other long pointed object into an animal or fish in order to kill or catch it
The fisherman speared a large salmon in the clear mountain river.
speared + [fish]
Arjun stood at the riverbank and speared fish for the evening meal.
In the cave painting, three warriors are shown spearing a wild buffalo.
Haruto learned how to spear fish from his uncle during a trip to the coast.
文法句型
spear + object
spear + object + with + tool
用法筆記
The object is almost always an animal or fish. When the tool is not an actual spear, use the pattern speared + object + with + tool (e.g., speared the fish with a sharpened stick).
2. to push a pointed tool such as a fork or skewer into a piece of food in order to
to push a pointed tool such as a fork or skewer into a piece of food in order to pick it up or hold it
Elena speared a piece of cheese with her fork at the party.
speared + [food] + with + [tool]
The children speared marshmallows on sticks to roast over the campfire.
Christopher speared an olive from the jar with a toothpick.
Ziad speared a piece of sausage with a cocktail stick at the buffet table.
文法句型
spear + object
spear + object + with + tool
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (hunting), this sense is about picking up food at the table or during cooking. The tool is typically a fork, skewer, or toothpick.
常見錯誤
3. to catch a ball by stretching an arm out quickly, especially in baseball or soft
to catch a ball by stretching an arm out quickly, especially in baseball or softball
Olani speared the fly ball with one hand before it hit the grass.
speared + fly ball + with one hand
Antonia speared the line drive with a sudden stretch of her gloved hand.
Selim speared the fly ball while sprinting toward the outfield wall.
The shortstop speared the ground ball and threw to first base in one motion.
文法句型
spear + object
用法筆記
This is specific to American baseball and softball. It describes a quick, stretching motion to catch a ball that would otherwise be out of reach. Not used for routine catches.
4. a play in ice hockey where a player pushes the long handle or flat blade of a st
a play in ice hockey where a player pushes the long handle or flat blade of a stick into an opponent, an illegal move that earns a penalty
The referee blew his whistle and gave Li a two-minute penalty for spearing.
penalty for spearing
Yael was sent off the ice after spearing another player with her stick.
Coach Barnes warned the defense that spearing would earn an automatic ejection.
Svetlana received a major penalty for spearing during the final period of the game.
文法句型
spear + object
用法筆記
This is a specific rule violation in ice hockey. Spearing is considered a dangerous foul and usually results in a minor penalty or, if injury occurs, a major penalty and ejection.