spearhead
English
WOTD – 10 May 2008
Etymology
From Middle English spere-hed; equivalent to spear + head.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈspɪə.hɛd/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈspɪɹ.hɛd/, /ˈspiɹ.hɛd/
Audio (US) (file) Audio (AU) (file)
Noun
spearhead (plural spearheads)
- The pointed head, or end, of a spear.
- 1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter II, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], OCLC 752825175:
- Orion hit a rabbit once; but though sore wounded it got to the bury, and, struggling in, the arrow caught the side of the hole and was drawn out. […]. Ikey the blacksmith had forged us a spearhead after a sketch from a picture of a Greek warrior; and a rake-handle served as a shaft.
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- One who leads or initiates an activity (such as an attack or a campaign).
- 1964 September, G. Freeman Allen, “Interim report on the East Coast Route express service”, in Modern Railways, pages 158-159:
- Spearheads of the NER bargain fares attack this year have been the introduction of weekend fares at a 7s 6d in the £ discount on ordinary rates between principal stations throughout the Region—[...].
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- The leading military unit in an attack.
- (sports) A player who initiates attacking moves.
- 2011 September 2, Phil McNulty, “Bulgaria 0-3 England”, in BBC:
- England played at a tempo in attack that was too much for Bulgaria, with width provided at various times by Walcott, Young and Stewart Downing and Rooney acting as the potent spearhead.
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Translations
the pointed head, or end, of a spear
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one who leads or initiates an activity
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the leading military unit in an attack
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Verb
spearhead (third-person singular simple present spearheads, present participle spearheading, simple past and past participle spearheaded)
- (transitive) To drive or campaign ardently for, as an effort, project, etc.
- He spearheaded the entire project from day one.
- 2012 April 21, Jonathan Jurejko, “Newcastle 3-0 Stoke”, in BBC Sport:
- Newcastle have put themselves within touching distance after a fantastic run which has been spearheaded by the goals of Senegal striker Cisse.
- 2021 January 13, Dr Joseph Brennan, “Spectacular funiculars”, in RAIL, issue 922, page 53:
- George Monks spearheaded the project to solve this problem with a funicular, and work on the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway (L&LCR) began in 1887.
Translations
to drive or campaign ardently
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