Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1746-1806, 1897-1898
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SPIRE, n. [′spɑeər]
1. A young tree suitable for making into a spar or paling; a sapling; a tapering tree (Mry. 1825 Jam.). Also in n.Eng. dial. Adj. spirie, tall, slender, thin; of plants: long in stalk, weak, tall (Dmf. 1825 Jam.).s.Sc. 1897 E. Hamilton Outlaws xvii.:
It's a spirie bit of a rope, will it stand, think you?s.Sc. 1898 E. Hamilton Mawkin iv.:
A spirie young sapling.
2. (1) The vertical part of a rafter in a cruck-constructed cottage (see quot.) (Rxb. 1825 Jam.).ne.Sc. 1806 R. Jamieson Ballads II. 406:
The spire in a cottage, is properly the stem or leg of an earth-fast couple, reaching from the floor to the top of the wall, partly inserted in, and partly standing out of, the wall.
(2) A wall or screen between the fire and the door (see 1806 quot.), freq. fitted with a seat (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.), a Hallan. Comb. spire-wall.Ags. 1746 J. C. Jessop Education in Angus (1931) 90:
A mid Spire Wall and two hanging Chimneys.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Works (S.T.S.) 150:
I's no seek near the fire; Let me but rest my weary banes Behind backs at the spire.Ags. 1773 Session Rec. Arbirlot MS. (8 June):
A Partition by way of a Spire-wall or Fence betwixt the Door and Fireplace.Sc. 1806 R. Jamieson Ballads II. 406:
From the circumstances of the partition beginning at the couple-leg, or spire, the name has been transferred from the wooden post, pedestal, or pillar, that supports the couple, and commences the partition, to the partition itself.
†3. A beacon.Ayr. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 VII. 4:
The Lady Isle on which there are two beacons or spires.
4. Spray, in comb. sea-spire (Rnf. 1825 Jam.); in pl. small drops of spittle spurted from the mouth (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.).
[Extended usages of Eng. spire, a stem, stalk, pointed tower, etc., O.E. spĩr, M.L.Ger. Spír, though N.E.D. raises some difficulties. Cf. also O.N. spíra, stalk, tube, stem. For 4. cf. Norw. dial. spir, spray, squirt. The relationship of 2. (2) to Eng. dial. speer, a screen, partition, is not clear.]
