1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a tapering cone- or pyramid-shaped structure built esp. on a church tower (cf. STEEPLE).
2 the continuation of a tree trunk above the point where branching begins.
3 any tapering thing, e.g. the spike of a flower.
--v.tr. provide with a spire.
Derivatives:
spiry adj.
Etymology: OE spir 2. n.1 a a spiral; a coil. b a single twist of this.
2 the upper part of a spiral shell.
Etymology: F f. L spira f. Gk speira coil