spiry

¹ American  

[spahyuhr-ee] / ˈspaɪər i /

adjective

1. having the form of a spire, slender shoot, or tapering pointed body; tapering up to a point like a spire.

2. abounding in spires or steeples.

---

spiry ² American  

[spahy-ree] / ˈspaɪ ri /

adjective

1. spiral; coiled; coiling; helical.

---

spiry British  

/ ˈspaɪərɪ /

adjective

1. poetic of spiral form; helical

---

Etymology

Origin of spiry¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; spire ¹ + -y ¹

Origin of spiry²

First recorded in 1670–80; spire ² + -y ¹

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spiry

The excellent Mrs. Motte was present when her fine new house, supposed to be worth six thousand dollars, took fire; and without a sigh, beheld the red spiry billows prevailing over all its grandeur.*

From The Life of General Francis Marion by M. L. (Mason Locke) Weems

I am well assured that the majority of spectators see no curves in them at all, but an intensely upright, stern, spiry ruggedness and angularity.

From Modern Painters, Volume IV (of V) by John Ruskin

Its name, Spear, or Spire, indicates the spiry form of its floral blossoming.

From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by William Thomas Fernie

Above the ivies’ branchlets gray   In glistening clusters shone;While round the base the grass-blades bright   And spiry foxglove sprung.

From Andromeda and Other Poems by Charles Kingsley

O'er whose low cells the dock and mallow spread, And rampant nettles lift the spiry head, Whilst from the hollows of the tower on high The grey-cap'd daws in saucy legions fly.

From The Farmer's Boy A Rural Poem by Robert Bloomfield

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---