tip of an ear of grain
Only when written 穂先
Specifically the tip of a grain ear, such as wheat or rice. Restricted to the kanji 穂先.
風に揺れる稲の穂先が美しい。
The tips of the rice ears swaying in the wind are beautiful.
General tip or point of an object, especially a brush, spear, or similar implement. Can be written 穂先 or 鋒先.
筆の穂先に墨をたっぷり含ませる。
I soak the tip of the brush thoroughly with ink.
The spearhead is gleaming.
穂 refers to the entire ear or head of a grain plant, whereas 穂先 specifically means the very tip of that ear.
spearhead; tip of a spear
Standard spelling for both the ear tip of grains and the tip of a brush or spear.
Rare variant emphasizing a sharp point, such as a spearhead. Not used for plant tips.
Compound of 穂 (ho, 'ear of grain') and 先 (saki, 'tip'). The kanji 鋒 is a variant used for sharp points.