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to spire

to spire

1 6.0
To rise up into a tall, narrow, pointed shape
  • verb
  • /spaɪr/
translation icon : elevarse
  • I would add that the church spires in both canvases break the picture frame, emphasizing their role as a link between matter and spirit, the spirit here being that of the Celtic race.
  • spired church
  • spired temple
  • twin-spired

Examples

  • The trees spire upward, their branches reaching for the sky.

  • The mist continues to rise, burning itself invisible as it spires in the returning heat.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • As the rocket launched, it spired into the atmosphere with great speed.

  • The tall buildings spired against the sunset, creating a breathtaking skyline.

Synonyms

to tower
vsto spire
72 4.6

To be much taller than nearby things and look more important

is narrow and has a pointed top rather than just being taller

How Tall

to tower
72 4.6
to spire
1 6.0
to soar
96 3.4
to grow
1.0
to rise
718 1.0

Surface Forms

spire infinitive
spired past
spired past participle
spiring present participle
spires third person singular

Etymology

Spire meaning 'to rise upward in a tall, narrow point' is linked to the noun spire and the idea of a 'sprout' growing up into a point. So when something 'spires' it 'shoots up' like a plant or tower, which explains the modern sense of rising high and thin.