javelin

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jave·lin

(jăv′lĭn, jăv′ə-)

1. A light spear thrown with the hand and used as a weapon.

2. Sports

a. A metal or metal-tipped spear thrown for distance in track and field competitions. The men's javelin is about 2.6 meters (8 ¹/₂ feet) in length; the women's is about 2.2 meters (7 ¹/₄ feet) in length.

b. The athletic field event in which a javelin is thrown.

[Middle English, from Old French javeline, diminutive of javelot, of Celtic origin.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

javelin

(ˈdʒævlɪn)

1. (Athletics (Track & Field)) a long pointed spear thrown as a weapon or in competitive field events

2. (Athletics (Track & Field)) the javelin the event or sport of throwing the javelin

[C16: from Old French javeline, variant of javelot, of Celtic origin]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

jave•lin

(ˈdʒæv lɪn, ˈdʒæv ə-)

n.

1. a light spear, usu. thrown by hand.

2. a spearlike shaft about 8½ ft. (2.7 m) long and usu. made of wood, used in throwing for distance as a field event.

[1505–15; < Middle French javeline, alter. of javelot, Anglo-French gavelot, gaveloc, probably < Old English gafeluc, *gafeloc « British Celtic *gablākos a spear with a forklike head]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Noun	1.	javelin - an athletic competition in which a javelin is thrown as far as possible field event - a competition that takes place on a field rather than on a running track
	2.	javelin - a spear thrown as a weapon or in competitive field events lance, spear, shaft - a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon sports equipment - equipment needed to participate in a particular sport

Translations

Spanish / Español

Select a language:

jabalina

javelin

[ˈdʒævlɪn]

A. N

1. (= object) → jabalina f
to throw the javelin → lanzar la jabalina

2. (= event) she won a gold medal in the javelin → ganó la medalla de oro en lanzamiento de jabalina

B. CPD javelin thrower N → lanzador(a) m/f de jabalina
javelin throwing N → lanzamiento m de jabalina

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

javelin

(ˈdʒӕvəlin) noun

a light spear for throwing eg as an event in an athletic competition. jabalina

javelin

→ jabalina

Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

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References in classic literature ?

But I will be avenged,'' he added, starting from his char in impatience at the supposed injury, and catching hold of his boar-spear; ``I will go with my complaint to the great council; I have friends, I have followers man to man will I appeal the Norman to the lists; let him come in his plate and his mail, and all that can render cowardice bold; I have sent such a javelin as this through a stronger fence than three of their war shields!

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For in their succorless emptyhandedness, they, in the heathenish sharked waters, and by the beaches of unrecorded, javelin islands, battled with virgin wonders and terrors that Cooke with all his marines and muskets would not willingly have dared.

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He also took the skin of a large and well fed goat, and a javelin in case of attack from men or dogs.

My delight was in ships, fighting, javelins, and arrows--things that most men shudder to think of; but one man likes one thing and another another, and this was what I was most naturally inclined to.

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In a short time I had descended nearly a third of the distance, and the savages had ceased their cries, when suddenly a terrific howl burst upon my ear, and at the same moment a heavy javelin darted past me as I fled, and stuck quivering in a tree close to me.

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I was among the wounded, having been struck by a javelin, or spear, while I was passing from one tent to another.

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Then the son of Peleus brought in a spear and a cauldron that had never been on the fire; it was worth an ox, and was chased with a pattern of flowers; and those that throw the javelin stood up--to wit the son of Atreus, king of men Agamemnon, and Meriones, stalwart squire of Idomeneus.

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The foremost guardsman made a vicious lunge for my side with his hook after the three of them had backed me against the wall, but as I sidestepped and raised my arm his weapon but grazed my side, passing into a rack of javelins, where it became entangled.

The yellow men were battering at the door with javelins and axes.

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With them there came also two men on horseback and two on foot; those on horseback with wheel-lock muskets, those on foot with javelins and swords, and as soon as Sancho saw them he said:

The other guards stood thunderstruck and amazed at this unexpected event, but recovering presence of mind, those on horseback seized their swords, and those on foot their javelins, and attacked Don Quixote, who was waiting for them with great calmness; and no doubt it would have gone badly with him if the galley slaves, seeing the chance before them of liberating themselves, had not effected it by contriving to break the chain on which they were strung.

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I saw my companions; the brave fellows lay dead where they had slept, javelined to death without a chance at self-defense.

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