speer

¹ American  

[speer] / spɪər /

Or speir,

verb (used with or without object)

1. Chiefly Scot. to ask; inquire.

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Speer ² American  

[speer, shpeyr] / spɪər, ʃpeɪr /

noun

1. Albert 1905–81, German Nazi leader: appointed by Hitler as official Nazi architect.

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Etymology

Origin of speer

before 900; Middle English speren, spiren, Old English spyrian to make tracks, trace, ask about; cognate with German spüren, Old Norse spyrja to ask; akin to spoor

Example Sentences

When not making phone calls with convicted Nazi architect Albert Speer about how to strike the best book deal, Riefenstahl is seen — in jaw-dropping footage — skiing, living her untroubled mountain lifestyle with a partner 25 years her junior and being confronted on talk shows.

From Los Angeles Times

Speer didn’t share his predecessor’s doubts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Speer was given a 20-year prison sentence while Fritz Sauckel, Hitler’s general plenipotentiary for labor mobilization, was hanged for almost exactly the same crimes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Speer’s reputation as a “good Nazi” was enhanced by his relentlessly self-justifying memoirs.

From The Wall Street Journal

About his famous confidence when seated face-to-face with intimidating subjects — one interview was with Albert Speer, Hitler’s chief architect and minister of armaments — Ophuls was characteristically candid and self-effacing.

From Los Angeles Times