spire

noun (1)

\ ˈspī(-ə)r

Definition of spire

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : a slender tapering blade or stalk (as of grass)

2 : the upper tapering part of something (such as a tree or antler) : pinnacle

3a : a tapering roof or analogous pyramidal construction surmounting a tower

b : steeple a church spire

spire

verb (1)

spired; spiring

Definition of spire (Entry 2 of 4)

intransitive verb

: to rise like a spire

spire

noun (2)

Definition of spire (Entry 3 of 4)

1a : spiral

b : coil

2 : the inner or upper part of a spiral gastropod shell consisting of all the whorls except the whorl in contact with the body

spire

verb (2)

spired; spiring

Definition of spire (Entry 4 of 4)

intransitive verb

: to rise in or as if in a spiral

First Known Use of spire

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1591, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for spire

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English spīr; akin to Middle Dutch spier blade of grass

Noun (2)

Latin spira coil, from Greek speira; perhaps akin to Greek sparton rope, esparto

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More Definitions for spire

spire

noun

\ ˈspīr

Kids Definition of spire

1 : a pointed roof especially of a tower

2 : steeple

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spire

Definition of spire

Illustration of spire

First Known Use of spire

History and Etymology for spire

Kids Definition of spire

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