spire Hear it!

spire¹ Definition

spire (spīr)

noun

  1. a spiral or coil
  2. any of the convolutions of a spiral or coil
  3. Zool. the upper part of a spiral shell of a gastropod

Etymology: Fr < L spira < Gr speira < IE base *sper-, to turn, wrap > Latvian sprangāt, to lace up

spire² Definition

spire (spīr)

noun

  1. a sprout, spike, or stalk of a plant, a blade of grass, etc.
  2. the top part of a pointed, tapering object or structure, as a mountain peak
  3. anything that tapers to a point, as a pointed structure capping a tower or steeple

Etymology: ME < OE spir, akin to ON spīra: for IE base see spike

intransitive verb spired, spir′·ing

to extend upward, tapering to a point; shoot up or rise in, or put forth, a spire or spires

spire² Related Forms
spired adjective
spire Synonyms

spire

n.

steeple, cone, pinnacle, belfry; see tower.

spire Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • cathedral: On the summit of the next hill the spires of the cathedral can be seen.

Adjective modifier

  • octagonal: Burton's original church had a narrow octagonal spire, set back behind the embattled parapet.
  • crooked: Famous for the crooked spire of its Parish Church, Chesterfield is also home to one of the largest open-air markets in the country.
  • lofty: Perhaps the worst result of the storm locally was the destruction of the lofty spire of Foxearth parish church.
  • slender: He used a 13th to 14th century Gothic style with a tall slender spire.
  • pyramidal: The upper stage is pierced with eight circular openings, two on each face, and it is capped by a low pyramidal spire.
  • towering: Hell's been done many times in computer games, but fighting elite angels among beautiful towering spires could be cool.

Converse of object

  • shingle: On top of the tower is an unusual octagonal shingled spire.
  • soar: Superlatives do little justice in describing the soaring granite spires of the Fitzroy group or the peaks of the Torres del Paine.
  • dream: Question: What O is the city of dreaming spires where Morse drove his Jaguar?
  • recess: It is a large church with a spire recessed in the west tower.
  • boast: Then there's the Cathedral itself, a towering gothic beauty boasting the tallest spire in France.

Converse of subject

  • surmount: At one corner of the church is a tower, surmounted by a lofty spire.
  • crown: The tower has two bells, and is crowned by a wooden spire.

Noun used with modifier

  • broach: Above these at the base of the broach spire are clock faces, the clock a gift of 1885.
  • cathedral: Many of the guest rooms in the main house have views of the cathedral spire.
  • granite: Superlatives do little justice in describing the soaring granite spires of the Fitzroy group or the peaks of the Torres del Paine.
  • church: Can you see a church spire behind the wall?
  • copper: The copper spire over the crossing also dates from that time.
  • stone: A small stone spire crowns the top of the tower.