Middle English Dictionary Entry
spīren v.(3)
Entry Info
| Forms | spīren v.(3) Also spire, spiere. |
| Etymology | From spīr(e n.(1). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To germinate, sprout; ppl. spired, germinated; (b) of plants: to produce offshoots; of cereals: form ears; (c) ~ up, of water: to shoot up.
Associated quotations
a
- a1325 Gloss.Bibbesw.(Cmb Gg.1.1)470 : La coucherez vostre ble Taunt cum seit bien germee [glossed:] spired [vrr. chicked, sproten].
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)221b/a : Many men hangen oynouns..ouer þe fuyre..for þey schulden nouȝt spire and growe; Ofte oynouns..spireþ þough þey ben nought in erþe.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)74 : Chykkyn, as corne, or spyryn, or sp[r]owtyn: Pulilo.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)3.1034 : Curneles of mixe hit is to keste In molde..so fele attonys As wel may spire.
- a1500(1471) *Ripley CAlch.(Ashm 1486)670 : Then schall thyn seedes both roote & spyere.
- a1500 Jul.D.8 Planting in SN 57 (Jul D.8)25 : Þe sauner þat þey shote vp or spire, þe gretter and þe better wol þe gourdes be.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)229a/a : If þey [herbes] beþ y-suffred..to growe to swiþe, þanne þey spireþ and sediþ to soone.
- c1425 Mirror LM&W (Hrl 45)112/8 : Firste it is grene..& after þat it spireþ & bloweþ and sithen it bycomeþ corn rype.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)469 : Spyryn, as corne and oþer lyke: Spico.
c
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)3698 : The wyndes..Rut vp the rughe se on rokkes aboute..hit spirit vp spitiously fyue speire lenght.