[f. SPEAR sb.1] The staff or shaft of a spear; = SPEAR-SHAFT. Also transf.

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1530.  Palsgr., 274/1. Speare staffe, fust de lance.

2

1565.  Cooper, Thesaurus, Hastile, a speare staffe.

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1653.  W. Ramesey, Astrol. Restored, 100. The fixed Stars in Libra … are in number Twenty five…. 20. The calf of the right leg of Bootes. 21. The Spear-staff Incalurus of Bootes.

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1687.  Miége, Gt. Fr. Dict., II. Spear-staff, la hampe.

5

1736.  Ainsworth, II. Hasta pura, a spear staff without an iron head.

6

1776.  Mickle, trans. Camoens’ Lusiad, I. 274. [Mars] Strikes his tall spear-staff on the sounding ground.

7

1878.  Gosse, Rivers of Bible, 376. His spear-staff was ‘like a weaver’s beam.’

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