Main Entry: ¹spire

Pronunciation: \ˈspī(-ə)r\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English spīr; akin to Middle Dutch spier blade of grass

Date: before 12th century

1 : a slender tapering blade or stalk (as of grass)
2 : the upper tapering part of something (as a tree or antler) : pinnacle
3 a : a tapering roof or analogous pyramidal construction surmounting a tower b : steeple <a church spire>

[spire illustration]