Lancehead

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A broad, flat-tipped spearhead used historically for thrusting in combat or hunting ; a type of pit viper characterized by a broad, triangular head resembling a spear point ; a distinctive weapon accessory or snake head shape known for its pointed but wide form
2. A spear tip that is wide and flat, designed for piercing or stabbing ; a venomous snake with a lance-shaped head that is wider than its neck ; an object or natural form shaped like a spear point that is broad at the base and tapers to a tip
3. A weapon's blade end that is flat and broad, meant for thrusting ; a species of crotaline snake recognized by its lance-shaped triangular head ; any pointed, widening-to-base formation resembling the tip of a lance used in various contexts

Etymology: "Lancehead" is a plain compound: "lance" joined to "head," the metal tip fixed to the end of a lance. The lance itself comes from Old French "lance," which descends from Latin "lancea," a light spear or throwing lance. English borrowed "lance" in the Middle Ages, and the older Latin word is thought by many scholars to have had non-Latin origins. The compound follows the same logic as other weapon parts named for their position, such as spearhead, arrowhead and axehead. Because the element "head" in these words means the working end of a weapon, the word needs no special history beyond the two parts joined together. Its sense has stayed close to the original, naming the broad blade on the tip of a lance or spear.

Synonyms: spearhead, pike head, javelin tip