Middle English Dictionary Entry
speir(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | speir(e n. Also spaire, spere. |
| Etymology | From AF espeir, espair(e, vars. of OF espoir. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. espeir n.
1.
Associated quotations
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)6476 : Þy sone ys now yn þe same speyre [rime: eyre]; he shal nat þenk þat he shal deye.
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)25677 : Help me, leuedi, wele þu may, and be mi spere.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.104 : Of Roberd is no speyre to mak of parlement; His broþer Henry is heyre of alle his tenement.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.252 : Scho..no sonne him left bot ȝing Edward..He was tendre & ȝing, of him had he no speyre.
- c1400 St.Alex.(3) (LdMisc 622)1030 : To þi comyng was al my speire, To haue ymade of þee myne eire.
- ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.(Göt Hist 740)22753 : Gode spair to hete him þai bigin Of alle þe victorie to win.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)2360 : He sente messegers to Leyr, To wedde his doughter he was in speyr.