The spire and top of praises.
Shak.
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.
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.
Spired (?), a. Having a spire; being in the form of a spire; as, a
spired steeple. Mason.
Spi"ri*cle (?), n. [Dim., fr. L. spira a coil.] (Bot.) One of certain
minute coiled threads in the coating of some seeds. When moistened
these threads protrude in great numbers. Gray.
Spi"ri*fer (?), n. [NL., fr. L. spira a coil + ferreto bear.] (Paleon.)
Any one of numerous species of fossil brachipods of the genus Spirifer,
or Delthyris, and allied genera, in which the long calcareous supports
of the arms form a large spiral, or helix, on each side.
||Spi*ril"lum (?), n. [NL., dim. of L. spira a coil.] (Biol.) A genus
||of common motile microörganisms (Spirobacteria) having the form of
||spiral- shaped filaments. One species is said to be the cause of
||relapsing fever.
Spir"ing (?), a. Shooting up in a spire or spires. "The spiring grass."
Dryton.
Spir"it (?), n. [OF. espirit, esperit, F. esprit, L. spiritus, from
spirare to breathe, to blow. Cf. Conspire, Expire, Esprit, Sprite.] 1.
Air set in motion by breathing; breath; hence, sometimes, life itself.
[Obs.] "All of spirit would deprive." Spenser.
The mild air, with season moderate, Gently attempered, and disposed
eo well, That still it breathed foorth sweet spirit.
Spenser.
2. A rough breathing; an aspirate, as the letter h; also, a mark to
denote aspiration; a breathing. [Obs.]
Be it a letter or spirit, we have great use for it.
B. Jonson.
3. Life, or living substance, considered independently of corporeal
existence; an intelligence conceived of apart from any physical
organization or embodiment; vital essence, force, or energy, as
distinct from matter.
4. The intelligent, immaterial and immortal part of man; the soul, in
distinction from the body in which it resides; the agent or subject of
vital and spiritual functions, whether spiritual or material.
There is a spirit in man; and the inspiration of the Almighty
giveth them understanding.
Job xxxii. 8.
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is
dead also.
James ii. 26.
Spirit is a substance wherein thinking, knowing, doubting, and a
power of moving, do subsist.
Locke.
5. Specifically, a disembodied soul; the human soul after it has left
the body.
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit
shall return unto God who gave it.
Eccl. xii. 7.
Ye gentle spirits far away, With whom we shared the cup of grace.
Keble.
6. Any supernatural being, good or bad; an apparition; a specter; a
ghost; also, sometimes, a sprite,; a fairy; an elf.
Whilst young, preserve his tender mind from all impressions of
spirits and goblins in the dark.
Locke.