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Spire - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Spire : (noun)
1: a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building
(usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point
at the top [syn: steeple]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Spire : \Spire\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Spired; p. pr. & vb. n.
Spiring.]
To shoot forth, or up in, or as if in, a spire. --Emerson.
It is not so apt to spire up as the other sorts, being
more inclined to branch into arms. --Mortimer.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Spire : \Spire\, n. [L. spira coil, twist; akin to Gr. ???: cf. F.
spire.]
1. A spiral; a curl; a whorl; a twist. --Dryden.
2. (Geom.) The part of a spiral generated in one revolution
of the straight line about the pole. See Spiral, n.
Spire bearer. (Paleon.) Same as Spirifer.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Spire : \Spire\, v. i. [L. spirare to breathe. See Spirit.]
To breathe. [Obs.] --Shenstone.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Spire : \Spire\, n. [OE. spire, spir, a blade of grass, a young
shoot, AS. sp[=i]r; akin to G. spier a blade of grass, Dan.
spire a sprout, sprig, Sw. spira a spar, Icel. sp[=i]ra.]
1. A slender stalk or blade in vegetation; as, a spire grass
or of wheat.
An oak cometh up a little spire. --Chaucer.
2. A tapering body that shoots up or out to a point in a
conical or pyramidal form. Specifically (Arch.), the roof
of a tower when of a pyramidal form and high in proportion
to its width; also, the pyramidal or aspiring termination
of a tower which can not be said to have a roof, such as
that of Strasburg cathedral; the tapering part of a
steeple, or the steeple itself. ``With glistering spires
and pinnacles adorned.'' --Milton.
A spire of land that stand apart, Cleft from the
main. --Tennyson.
Tall spire from which the sound of cheerful bells
Just undulates upon the listening ear. --Cowper.
3. (Mining) A tube or fuse for communicating fire to the
chargen in blasting.
4. The top, or uppermost point, of anything; the summit.
The spire and top of praises. --Shak.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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