speer

¹ American  

[speer] / spɪər /

Or speir,

verb (used with or without object)

1. Chiefly Scot. to ask; inquire.

---

Speer ² American  

[speer, shpeyr] / spɪər, ʃpeɪr /

noun

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

---

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

I had seen them speer at the fellow, and put out their twa fingers when they saw him, to guard against the evil eye.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

An’ a’ the time we could no speer a thing.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

A fool may speer mair questions than a wise man can answer.

From The Proverbs of Scotland by Hislop, Alexander

"Am na I their mither, have na I a right to speer?"

From Ringan Gilhaize or The Covenanters by Galt, John

"But what is't, woman, if I may speer?"

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 15 by Various