Webster's English Dictionary

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spire

1. spire \'spi-(*)r\ n [ME, fr. OE spi-r; akin to MD spier blade of grass, 
   L spinaX thorn - more at SPINE 1: a slender tapering blade or stalk (as of 
   grass)  2: the upper tapering part of something (as a tree or antler) : 
   PINNAC LE 3a: a tapering roof or analogous pyramidal construction 
   surmounting a tower  3b: STEEPLE 
2. spire vi : to shoot up like a spire 
3. spire n [L spira coil, fr. Gk speira; akin to Gk sparton rope, espart]o, 
   Lith springti to choke in swallowing 1a: SPIRAL  1b: COIL  2: the upper 
   part of a spiral mollusk shell 
4. spire vi : to rise upward in a spiral