javelin

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a light spear designed to be thrown by hand as a weapon in war or hunting

   The warriors left their javelins lodged in the whale's side.

2. 2
   noun

   a long, slender, usually metal-tipped shaft thrown for distance in an athletic field event

   She balanced the javelin before beginning her run-up.

3. 3
   noun

   the athletic event in which competitors throw a javelin for distance

   He won the bronze medal in the javelin.

From Middle English chafeveleyn or related forms, from Old French javeline, an alteration of javelot. The French weapon name is of Celtic origin and is related to Old Irish gabul, a fork or forked stick.

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