xyston

X8Y4S1T1O1N1

noun

A type of long thrusting lance, used in ancient Greece.

OriginAncient Greek ξυστόν ← Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰasto- ← substrate →
Scrabble 16
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Meanings

nounxyston (plural xystons or xysta)

plural xystons · plural xysta

  1. A type of long thrusting lance, used in ancient Greece.

    The Companions, like the Thessalian cavalry, were a well-mounted force armed with cuirass and the short thrusting spear (xyston) for close combat.

    2004, J. F. C. Fuller, The Generalship of Alexander the Great, page 47

Origin

  1. substrate
  2. Proto-Indo-European*ǵʰasto-
  3. Ancient Greekξυστόν“spear, javelin”
  4. Englishxyston

Borrowed from Ancient Greek ξυστόν (xustón, “spear, javelin”), of unknown origin. Potentially from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰasto- or *ǵʰasdʰo- (“branch ~ spear, sharp spine”, whence also gad, goad, and yard), but this is likely a substrate word in view of the various irregularities.

More words from Ancient Greek, Proto-Indo-European, substrate

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

xyston. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/xyston

MLA

“xyston.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/xyston. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “xyston,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/xyston.

Source: xyston on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.