spearhead

English

/ˈspɪə.hɛd/, /ˈspɪɹ.hɛd/

noun
Definitions
  • The pointed head, or end, of a spear.
  • One who leads or initiates an activity (such as an attack or a campaign).
  • The leading military unit in an attack.
  • (sports) A player who initiates attacking moves.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English spere-hed compound from English spear (long stick with a sharp tip used as a weapon) + English head (-hood, noun, hood, foremost, or leading part, topmost, suffix indicating a fan enthusiast).

Origin

English

head

Gloss

-hood, noun, hood, foremost, or leading part, topmost, suffix indicating a fan enthusiast

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms