spire
UK: ˈspaɪə | US: ˈspaɪər
n. a tall, pointed structure on top of a building, especially a church
n. the upper tapering part of a spiral shell
n. (poetic/literary) a natural peak or summit
spire = spir<coil> + e (silent)
- spir<coil>: From Latin spira (coil, twist), via Old French espir. Reflects the helical or tapering shape of a spire.
- e: Silent vowel, often added in Middle English for orthographic convention.
Etymology Origin:
The word spire traces back to the Latin spira (coil), reflecting its association with twisted or ascending forms—like the spiral of a shell or the tapering peak of a tower. Over time, it narrowed in meaning to describe architectural and natural pinnacles, emphasizing verticality and grace.
The cathedral’s spire pierced the cloudy sky.
The snail’s shell ended in a delicate spire.
Hikers admired the rocky spire atop the mountain.
Medieval architects competed to build the tallest spire.
The poem described a lone spire as "a finger pointing to heaven."