javelin
[ jav-lin, jav-uh- ]
/ ˈdʒæv lɪn, ˈdʒæv ə- /
noun
a light spear, usually thrown by hand.
Track.
- a spearlike shaft about 8½ feet (2.7 meters) long and usually made of wood, used in throwing for distance.
- Also called javelin throw. a competitive field event in which the javelin is thrown for distance.
verb (used with object)
to strike or pierce with or as if with a javelin.
Words nearby javelin
javan, javanese, javari, javascript, javel water, javelin, javelin fish, javelina, javelle water, javits, jaw
Origin of javelin
1505–15; < Middle French javeline, by suffix alteration from javelot, Anglo-French gavelot, gaveloc, probably < Old English gafeluc, *gafeloc ≪ British Celtic *gablākos presumably, a spear with a forklike head; compare MIr gablach forked branch, javelin, MWelsh gaflach (apparently < OIr), derivative of Old Irish gabul fork, forked branch, cognate with Old Breton gabl, Welsh gafl
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Examples from the Web for javelin
British Dictionary definitions for javelin
javelin
/ (ˈdʒævlɪn) /
noun
a long pointed spear thrown as a weapon or in competitive field events
the javelin the event or sport of throwing the javelin
Word Origin for javelin
C16: from Old French javeline, variant of javelot, of Celtic origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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