Dictionary

1spire

noun \ˈspī(-ə)r\

Definition of SPIRE

1
:  a slender tapering blade or stalk (as of grass)
2
:  the upper tapering part of something (as a tree or antler) :  pinnacle
3
a :  a tapering roof or analogous pyramidal construction surmounting a tower
b :  steeple <a church spire>
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Illustration of SPIRE

Origin of SPIRE

Middle English, from Old English spīr; akin to Middle Dutch spier blade of grass
First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

2spire

intransitive verb
spiredspir·ing

Definition of SPIRE

:  to rise like a spire

First Known Use of SPIRE

14th century

Rhymes with SPIRE

3spire

noun

Definition of SPIRE

1
a :  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

Origin of SPIRE

Latin spira coil, from Greek speira; perhaps akin to Greek sparton rope, esparto
First Known Use: 1545

4spire

intransitive verb
spiredspir·ing

Definition of SPIRE

:  to rise in or as if in a spiral

First Known Use of SPIRE

1591
SPIRE[1] Defined for Kids

spire

noun \ˈspīr\

Definition of SPIRE for Kids

1
:  a pointed roof especially of a tower
2
:  steeple

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