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.
†SPIREWIND, n. Also spearwind. A violent gust of passion, a gust of rage (Fif. 1825 Jam.). Cf. Spellwind.
[Prob. a fig. use of *spirewind, sc. a whirlwind or tornado, from Eng. spire, to rise spirally. For spear- cf. †Eng. spear, variant of spire, n.]
