A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Spire, Spyre, n. [ME and e.m.E. spire (a1250), spyre (1377), OE spír, MDu. spier, MLG spîr, spyer. Cf. ON spíra and MLG speer, sper sparwork. Also in the later dial.] A vertical timber structure reaching from floor to ceiling in a building, probably lending support to the rafters, found at the end of a wooden seat in a church or by the fireside in a house. —1507 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. II 346.
The said Johne sale … complet the xxxiiij stallis in thar queir with the spiris and the chanslar dur 15.. Wyf Awcht. § 16 (K).
He gat his foot vpon the spyre To haue gotten the flesh doune to the pat He fell backward into the fyre And brack his head on the keming stock
