Equiangular spiral,a plane curve which cuts all its generatrices at the
same angle. Same as Logarithmic spiral, under Logarithmic. -- Spiral of
Archimedes, a spiral the law of which is that the generatrix moves
uniformly along the revolving line, which also moves uniformly.
Spi*ral"i*ty (?), n. The quality or states of being spiral.
Spi"ral*ly (?), adv. In a spiral form, manner, or direction.
Spi*ra`lo*zo"oid (?), n. [Spiral + zooid. So called because they often
have a spiral form when contracted.] (Zoöl.) One of the special
defensive zooids of certain hydroids. They have the form of long,
slender tentacles, and bear lasso cells.
Spi"rant (?), n. [L. spirans, -antis, p. pr. of spirare to breathe. See
Spirit.] (Phon.) A term used differently by different authorities; --
by some as equivalent to fricative, - - that is, as including all the
continuous consonants, except the nasals m, n, ng; with the further
exception, by others, of the liquids r, l, and the semivowels w, y; by
others limited to f, v, th surd and sonant, and the sound of German ch,
-- thus excluding the sibilants, as well as the nasals, liquids, and
semivowels. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 197-208.
Spi*ran"thy (?), n. [Gr. &?;&?;&?; a coil + &?;&?;&?; flower.] (Bot.)
The occasional twisted growth of the parts of a flower.
Spi*ra"tion (?), n. [L. spiratio, fr. spirare to breathe.] The act of
breathing. [Obs.] Barrow.
Spire (?), v. i. [L. spirare to breathe. See Spirit.] To breathe.
[Obs.] Shenstone.
Spire, n. [OE. spire, spir, a blade of grass, a young shoot, AS. spr;
akin to G. spier a blade of grass, Dan. spire a sprout, sprig, Sw.
spira a spar, Icel. spra.] 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.