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: 1764-1808, 1901-1913
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‡SPIRE, v. Also speyer.
1. intr. To dry out; to become parched.Sc. 1764 Scots Mag. (Sept.) 479:
Some sow always the ground when green and fresh, which, as they say, keeps it from spiring, and preserves the natural moisture.Sc. 1807 Farmer's Mag. (Feb.) 93:
He means to sow this field green, or after the plough, and not allow it to spire, or lose brairding sap.Rxb. 1901 Border Mag. (April) 75:
To escape “spiring” winds.Slk. 1913 H.J.C. Clippings from Clayboddie (1921) 70:
It [dung] spoils very much by being allowed to speyer in the sun.
2. tr. To wither, cause to fade, dry up. Ppl.adj. spiring, of weather, wind: hot, dry (Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai; Lth., Bwk., Rxb. 1971); adj. spiry, id.Lth. 1808 Jam.:
Thus heat, or a strong wind, is said to spire the grass. It is said to be a spiry day, when the drought is very strong.
