speerv.¹

Brit.

/spɪə/, U.S.

/spɪ(ə)r/, Scottish English

/spir/

Forms: Also speir, spier. Forms: α. Old English spyrian, Middle English spury-, spur-, Middle English–1500s spure, spur, 1500s–1600s spurre; Old English spirian, Middle English spire, Middle English–1500s spyre, Middle English, 1800s spir, Middle English spyr, spirr, spyrr, Middle English–1500s spyrre, Middle English, 1600s spirre. β. Middle English speriȝe, Middle English speryn, Middle English–1500s, 1800s sper, Middle English speore, Middle English– speir, 1500s speire, 1500s–1700s spear, 1700s– spier, Middle English– speer; Middle English Scottish spar, 1600s northern sparre.

Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.

Etymology: Common Germanic: Old English spyrian , = Old Saxon *spurian (compare the nouns spuringa , spuriđa ), Old High German spurigen , spurien (Middle High German spüren , spürn , German spüren , dialect spieren , spiren ), Old Norse (Icelandic and Norwegian) spyrja (Swedish spörja , Danish spørge , †spørje ); compare also Middle Dutch spören (Dutch speuren ), Low German spören , sporen (hence Danish spore , Swedish spåra ), obsolete German spören , speuren , spuren . For the relationship of the stem spur- , spor- see spoor n.¹In Old English the original senses of ‘to make or follow a track’, ‘to go in search of’, ‘to seek after’, are fully represented.

Chiefly Scottish and northern.

I. intransitive.

a. To put a question or questions; to make inquiries; to ask. Also with adverbs as about, in.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > make inquiries [verb (intransitive)]

speerc888

fraynec900

askOE

inquirec1375

demand1382

fraista1400

enspeerc1440

hearken1523

question1584

interrogate1622

query1644

the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > ask, enquire [verb (transitive)]

fraynea800

speerc888

askOE

fand?c1225

inquirec1290

asearch1382

queerc1390

assay1393

to take knowledge of1399

interrogate1600

quaere1627

query1644

α.

c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxvi. §2 Genoh ryhte þu spyrast; swa hit is swa þu segst.

a1400 Seuyn Sages (W.) 3832 The seriantes..spird obowt als he tham bad.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11475 ‘Gais,’ he said, ‘and spirs well gern’.

c1475 Babees Bk. (Harl. 5086) (2002) i. 2 Yf there be eny worde That yee kenne nouhte, spyrre whils yee yt ken.

1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iii. 486 And on sic maner spyryt he, That he knew that it wes the king.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 731/1 I spurre, I aske a questyon.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 4297 I will tell..How sprittis in hom spake to qwho þat spirre wold.

1659 W. Somner Dict. Saxonico-Latino-Anglicum at Spyrian Lanc. to spirre.

β. c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 6820 He that was the maryner Went aboute fast to spere; Of this mariage he herd tel.c1480 (a1400) St. Theodora 228 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 105 Þane mad þe kerlyng sum dangere, wittand scho suld þe ȝarnare spere.1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) I. 75 Exploratouris than haif tha send..That was expert, to speir about.1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 51 Sen thow speiris, I the tell All the suith hale.a1774 R. Fergusson Poems (1785) 154 Whare do ye win, gin ane may spear.a1796 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 56 As ye gae up by yon hillside, Spier in for bonnie Bessy.1808 J. Mayne Siller Gun (new ed.) iii. 67 ‘It sets ye weel, indeed, to speer,’ The Souter answer'd.

b. Const. about or anent, after, for, into, of (= concerning).

ΚΠ

α.

1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 112 Þe kyng in þat forest A moneth lay, to spire for wod & wilde beste.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13628 Quar-for spir yee o þat gom?

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11444 Þai toke þair gesting in þe tun, And spird him efter vp and dun.

c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 122 Þai went vnto þis clerkis howse & spirrid after þer maister & his suster.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12429 The kynges into councell callit hir þan, To spir of hor spede.

β. ?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 300 He wendes forthe..Of þis nouelry to sper.1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xvi. 21 And he..sperit of his brotheris fair.1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) iv. 494 Heir I saw the men, That ȝhe speir eftir, mak luging.1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xxvii. 573 Whan he founde not his mayster in the chirche, he..spered after him.1568 (a1500) Freiris Berwik 59 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1930) IV. 263 Ffreir Robert sperit eftir the gud man.a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) I. 258 [He] come..cryand and speirand for the king.a1700 F. Sempill Maggie Lauder v Gin ye should come to Anster Fair, Spier ye for Maggie Lauder.1717 A. Ramsay Elegy Lucky Wood xii And after ages bairns will spear 'Bout thee and me.1795 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) II. 796 I spier'd for my cousin..Gin she had recover'd her hearin'.1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering I. i. 10 Troth, I ken na, unless ye like to..speer for quarters at the Place.1824 W. Scott Redgauntlet I. xi. 222 Speer as little about him as he does about you.1866 H. Kingsley Leighton Court xxxiii Of whom were ye speiring?

c. Const. at (also †of) a person. Cf. 4.

ΚΠ

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15899 Gladli wald he spek and sper Bot at quam he ne wate.

1441 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) p. lvi Sir William Plompton..spirred of the said tenants..of the governance & rule that night.

1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xxi. viii. 852 Syr Launcelot spyrred of men of douer where was kyng Arthur become.

1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 39 The King..sperit at hym how he had done.

a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 137 Gif..he be blinde and can not at the speir.

1584 King James VI & I Ess. Prentise Poesie sig. Hiiij^v I speared at him..What word of Phœnix which was flowen away?

a1724 in Ramsay Tea-t. Misc. (1733) I. 28 He first speer'd at the guidman.

1792 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) II. 626 At kith or kin I need na spier.

1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian ix, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. I. 247 What needs ye be aye speering then at folk?

1903 Pilot 22 Aug. 169/1 These things can only be ascertained by ‘speiring’ at the Colonies themselves.

†2. To inquire one's way; to make one's way, proceed or go, to a place, etc. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > [verb (intransitive)]

nimeOE

becomec885

teec888

goeOE

i-goc900

lithec900

wendeOE

i-farec950

yongc950

to wend one's streetOE

fare971

i-wende971

shakeOE

winda1000

meteOE

wendOE

strikec1175

seekc1200

wevec1200

drawa1225

stira1225

glidea1275

kenc1275

movec1275

teemc1275

tightc1275

till1297

chevec1300

strake13..

travelc1300

choosec1320

to choose one's gatea1325

journeyc1330

reachc1330

repairc1330

wisec1330

cairc1340

covera1375

dressa1375

passa1375

tenda1375

puta1382

proceedc1392

doa1400

fanda1400

haunta1400

snya1400

take?a1400

thrilla1400

trace?a1400

trinea1400

fangc1400

to make (also have) resortc1425

to make one's repair (to)c1425

resort1429

ayrec1440

havea1450

speer?c1450

rokec1475

wina1500

hent1508

persevere?1521

pursuec1540

rechec1540

yede1563

bing1567

march1568

to go one's ways1581

groyl1582

yode1587

sally1590

track1590

way1596

frame1609

trickle1629

recur1654

wag1684

fadge1694

haul1802

hike1809

to get around1849

riddle1856

bat1867

biff1923

truck1925

?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 6166 Be hir tellyng men wer steryd, And diuers to þe saynt speryd, and come in pilgrimage.

1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ii. vi. 52 To quhilk other forthres sall we speir?

1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid vi. v. 147 Speir to the portis quhilkis Velinos hait.

1615 R. Brathwait Strappado 131 Heere stood I musing..Till Iockie wha dost thinke speard vp to me.

II. transitive.

3. With objective clause: To inquire or ask how, what, who, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > investigate, examine [verb (transitive)]

underseekc897

speerc900

lookeOE

askOE

seeOE

teem witnessc1200

seeka1300

fand13..

inquirec1300

undergoc1315

visit1338

pursuea1382

searcha1382

examinec1384

assay1387

ensearchc1400

vesteyea1425

to have in waitc1440

perpend1447

to bring witnessc1475

vey1512

investigate?1520

recounta1530

to call into (also in) question1534

finger1546

rip1549

sight1556

vestigatea1561

to look into ——1561

require1563

descry?1567

sound1579

question1590

resolve1593

surview1601

undersearch1609

sift1611

disquire1621

indagate1623

inspect1623

pierce1640

shrive1647

in-looka1649

probe1649

incern1656

quaeritate1657

inquisite1674

reconnoitre1740

explore1774

to bring to book1786

look-see1867

scrutate1882

to shake down1915

sleuth1939

screen1942

α.

c900 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. xvii. (1722) 499 Hi ða spyredan hwæt and hwonan he wæs.

1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 327 He spired as he ȝede, who did suilk trespas.

1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 198 This lord to spire Began, fro whenne that sche cam.

a1400 K. Alis. (W.) 2569 He..spirred whider Darie is went.

c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1905) II. 264 Þan þis duke besoght þaim to spur who did þis trispas.

1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 77/1 Therfore spyre and aske how thou maist goo to hym.

β. c1325 Metr. Hom. 95 The king..sperid in quat time, and quat cyte, That Goddes sun suld born be.a1470 J. Hardyng Chron. cxvii. viii Buryed he was, but where no man durste spere.c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 1 He speris, quhat thing js bataill.1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) x. 522 Tharfor preuely sperit he Gif ony man mycht fundin be [etc.].c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) xi. 79 His sone pontius sperit quhou he suld vse hym contrar the romans.a1572 J. Knox Hist. Reformation Scotl. in Wks. (1846) I. 241 ‘What sayis thow of the Messe?’ spearis the Erle of Huntley.1637 S. Rutherford Lett. (1863) I. lxxix. 202 Rouse..your soul, and speer how Christ and your soul met together.1686 G. Stuart Joco-serious Disc. 13 I speer'd what news in this gude town.1778 J. Beattie in A. Ross Helenore (ed. 2) Ded. p. vi Nae body car'd For anes to speer how Scota far'd.1817 W. Scott Rob Roy II. v. 95 And is't the way to Glasgow ye were speering if I kenn'd?1871 C. Gibbon For Lack of Gold xiv You needna' speir how I ken.

a. To make inquiries concerning, to ask questions regarding (a thing or fact). Also const. at or of (a person).

ΚΠ

c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 1606 Alle þat he spured hym..he expowned clene.

?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 2622 When many thinges sho had speryd.

c1480 (a1400) St. Paul 229 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 35 At þame spere but mare þe cause quhy I gert ȝou cum þare.

a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 1169 At qwhome ful sone than gan scho to Inquere, And al the maner of the ostis till spere.

c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) Prol. 12 Gyf ony persone vald speir at me, the maneir of the gouernyng of ane battel.

a1600 King & Barker 13 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 4 Howr kyng bad hes men abeyde, And he welde sper of hem the wey.

1646 J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) p. xxxiii To informe of thingis that I sall speir at him.

1686 G. Stuart Joco-serious Disc. 14 Ye speer the Gate ye kenn right weel.

1830 J. Galt Lawrie Todd III. ix. viii. 287 Oh, no great sum; ye needna speer that.

1858–61 E. B. Ramsay Reminisc. Sc. Life (1870) ii. 21 It's no the day to be speering sic things.

b. With special objects, as tidings, price, etc. to speer (one's) price, to ask one's terms, to ask in marriage.

ΚΠ

(a)

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5682 Moyses..sett him þar a wel biside, Tiþand for to spir and bide.

a1400–50 Alexander 237 And þar [she] hire spakid with his speche & spird of him wordis.

1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xix. 599 Ilkane at othir sperit tithing.

1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid iii. ii. 155 My fadir exhortis ws..Apollois ansueir speir.

1597 A. Montgomerie Cherrie & Slae 806 He culd not luck..that all opinions speirit.

(b)?a1600 ( R. Sempill Legend Bischop St. Androis in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xlv. 379 For a pair of schone he ast. Bot or he sperit the price to pay them [etc.].1786 R. Burns Poems 26 Monie..hardly, in a winter season, E'er spier her price.1823 J. Galt Entail II. xxviii. 268 I was past thirty before man speer't my price.1837 J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Scott I. vi. 186 We've stood here an hour by the Tron, hinny, and de'il a ane has speered our price.

c. To request the return of (money); to ask back.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > request courteously or invite

seek1675

speer1818

invite1856

the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > demand > what is due or should be returned

again-aska1382

speer1818

1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian xii, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. IV. 258 This siller binds me to naething, and can never be speered back again.

d. To ask for (advice); to beg (leave).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)]

yearnOE

bid971

seek971

askOE

beseechc1175

banc1275

yerec1275

cravec1300

desirec1330

impetrec1374

praya1382

nurnc1400

pleadc1400

require1400

fraynec1430

proke1440

requisitea1475

wishc1515

supply1546

request1549

implore?c1550

to speak for ——1560

entreat1565

impetratec1565

obtest?1577

solicit1595

invoke1617

mendicate1618

petition1621

imprecate1636

conjurea1704

speer1724

canvass1768

kick1792

I will thank you to do so-and-so1813

quest1897

to hit a person up for1917

1724 in Ramsay Tea-t. Misc. (1733) I. 101 Love speers nae advice Of parents o'er wise.

a1835 in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1886) II. iv. 268/1 She maun cum to the merrie green~wud, And speir the leive o nane.

1866 J. Young Life J. Welsh 403 ‘It's right like, Sir,’ said she; ‘for we never speired his advice’.

1895 S. R. Crockett Men of Moss-hags xxxv. 253 Dinna bide to speer her leave.

5. To trace or find out by inquiry. Usually with out.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > find out, discover [verb (transitive)] > by asking or enquiring

askOE

speer1390

to get out1530

hark1561

hearken1590

outlearn1596

elicitate1642

elicita1676

the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > find or discover [verb (transitive)] > find by enquiry

speer1390

to find forth1601

1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 324 He bad his man to gon and spire A place wher sche myhte abyde.

c1480 (a1400) St. Thomas Apostle 10 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 129 Bis[i]ly fore to spere a man, þat sic palace can make.

1562 W. Turner Herball (1568) ii. 39 Perchance som of vs..myght spere it out and fynd it by that name.

1637 S. Rutherford Lett. (1863) I. 434 Oh that people would speer out Christ!

1648 Burgh Rec. Glasgow (1881) II. 157 To speir out men fitting to be employet for the Manufactorie.

?1746 ‘T. Bobbin’ View Lancs. Dial. 23 I soon sperr'd this Gentlemon's Heawse eawt.

1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northants. Words II. 272 Speer it out if you can. With us it is almost obs.

1863 S. S. Jones Northumberland 64/1 Tryin' tae speer oot his station an' character.

6. With cognate object (see also 7): To ask (a question).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > ask, enquire [verb (transitive)] > ask a question

askOE

puta1350

inquirea1400

speera1500

demand1502

pose1862

to put up1901

lob1952

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxx. 409 Whi spir ye not, syr, No questyons?

c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) xvi. 112 The preist of peblis speris ane questione in ane beuk that he conpilit.

1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 56 But you begyn here to..spurre questions at me on all sides.

1816 W. Scott Old Mortality viii, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. IV. 159 I hae had sae mony questions speered at me in my day.

1889 J. M. Barrie Window in Thrums 168 Ye shouldna spier sic annoyin' queistions.

a. To question or interrogate (a person). Usually with const., as of, interrogative clause, or cognate object (cf. 6).Still in Scottish use; also spec. to propose marriage to (a woman).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > interrogation > question, interrogate [verb (transitive)]

afraynec1380

speera1400

refraynea1450

searcha1450

questiona1470

interrogate1483

interrogue1484

demanda1513

pose1526

ferret1582

shrive1592

samen?1620

query1653

quiza1843

hackle1891

rag1908

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3826 He spird þaim queþen þai ware.

c1400 Anturs of Arthur xx Of thies sperituale thynges spyre me na mare.

1484 in H. E. Malden Cely Papers (1900) 153 He speryd me noo oder questyans.

1568 V. Skinner tr. R. González de Montes Discouery Inquisition of Spayne f. 22^v He shall ride the racke, and there be spurred certeyne questions.

1594 J. Lyly Mother Bombie iv. ii. sig. F4 Ile be so bolde as spurre her, what might a bodie call her name?

1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxiii. xii. 481 b Seeing a Senatour bluntly spurreth me the question.

†b. To call upon or demand formally. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > demand

bid971

ofgoOE

askOE

cravec1025

to call after ——?a1300

requirea1382

callc1430

protest1459

to call for ——1479

demand1489

speer1493

command1576

to put (also place, call, etc.) in (or into) requisition1831

requisition1874

1493 Festivall (1515) 193 All those..that haue ben spyred thryse in holy chyrche themselfe wyttynge.

c. To invite.

ΚΠ

1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor viii, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. I. 224 Just that ye suld speer ony gentleman hame to dinner.

Derivatives

ˈspeerer n. rare. an inquirer.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > [noun] > an enquirer, questioner

asker?c1225

questioner?a1425

querorc1450

speererc1480

inquirer?c1570

querist1633

querier1672

inquirist1748

queryist1863

c1480 (a1400) St. Machor 1140 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 33 Þarfor lewe forthir to spere..; for sperer of his maieste fra his Joy sall donne thrungine be.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	speer
释义	speern.¹ /spɪə/ Forms: Middle English spere, 1500s sper, 1600s speare, 1800s spear, Middle English, 1600s– speer, 1500s, 1800s speere. Etymology: ? < Middle Low German speer, sper spar-work. Now dialect. A fixed screen for warding off an air-draught; a wooden partition near the door or by the fireplace; a chimney-post. ΘΚΠ society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > screen > [noun] > other types of speer1379 traverse1400 transom-lattice1689 blind1730 window blind1730 spire1768 Venetian window-blind1769 window shade1789 tatty1792 tat1810 Japanese screen1872 fusuma1880 curtain1895 mosquito door1929 tuku-tuku1936 fly-wire door1952 table screen1971 the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > that which or one who heats > [noun] > a device for heating or warming > devices for heating buildings, rooms, etc. > hearth or fireplace > sides speera1600 ingle-cheekc1774 covings1796 fire cheek1825 1379 in J. T. Fowler Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham (1898) I. 131 In factura unius spere de Estlandbord' in Scakar Hostill. cum ligaturis ferreis et clavis. 1419 in J. T. Fowler Memorials Church SS. Peter & Wilfrid, Ripon (1888) III. 145 Pro dobyng ij sperys j mesuagii in Bondgate pro ij dies. c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 468/2 Spere, or scuw,..scrineum, ventifuga. a1470 Dives & Pauper (1496) iv. iv. 1641 He was put out of the chambre & layde hym behynde the spere at the halle dore. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 274/1 Speere in a hall, buffet. 1538 in J. Gage Hist. & Antiq. Hengrave, Suffolk (1822) 42 Item, y^e said hall to have ij coberds; one benethe, at the sper, w^t a tremor; and another, at the hygher table's inde, w^tout a tremor. a1600 Heir of Linne 80 in Percy's MS. (1867) I. 78 When that he came to Iohn of the Scales, vpp at the speere he looked then. 1674 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 44 The Speer. Chesh. The Chimney post. 1820 R. Wilbraham Attempt Gloss. Cheshire 62 Speer, the chimney post on each side of the fire-place. 1886 B. Brierley Cast upon World i. 9 The first object to be seen after the door was closed was a pinched face at the edge of the ‘speer’. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online December 2020). † speern.² Forms: Also 1700s spear. Etymology: variant of spire n.¹ (compare spear n.²). Obsolete. A branch or prong of a deer's horn. (Frequently in Topsell's work.) ΘΚΠ the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > male > [noun] > body and parts > antler > branch antlera1398 startc1400 tinec1480 branch1484 advancer1486 knag1578 speer1607 spire1607 snag1673 tang1688 point1780 1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 124 These [harts] do excell all other in the beauty of hornes,..branching forth into many spieres. 1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 124 At one yeare old they haue nothing but small bunches,..at three yeares they grow forked into two spieres. [Hence in Blome Gentl. Recreat. (1686), Dict. Rust. (1704) s.v. Hart, Chambers Cycl. (1728) s.v. Head, etc.] 1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 327 They [sc. the horns] are sharp.., no where smooth but in the tops of the speers. 1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth III. 113 [The stag's] horns are called his head; when simple, the first year, they are called broches; the third year, spears. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online December 2020). speern.³ Forms: Also spier. Etymology: < speer v.¹ Scottish. rare. An inquiry, questioning, or interrogation. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > [noun] > act or instance of askOE askingOE questionc1350 demandc1386 inquestc1400 interrogationc1405 inquisitionc1440 questioninga1450 inquirea1500 manda1500 terogatores1511 interrogatory1533 inquiry1548 interrogator1561 interrogativea1586 quaere1589 intergatory1590 A1591 Q1591 query1610 interrogate1633 starter1673 querical1699 speer1788 qy.1819 Q1902 1788 J. Macaulay Poems Var. Subj. 134 I..had nae fear O' getting you wi' little spier, Being sure to find you. 1822 J. Galt Steam-boat x. 257 There was..a wonderful speer and talk about what we had all seen that day at the Coronation. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online December 2020). speern.⁴ Forms: Also Scottish spire. Etymology: Of obscure origin. rare. Spray. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of spraying > [noun] > spray stour1513 sprew1633 spray1750 speer1825 1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. Spire, Sea-spire, the spray of the sea, Renfr[ew]. 1902 ‘M. Fairless’ Roadmender 70 The salt and speer of the sea, the companying with great ships, the fresh burden. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online December 2020). speerv.¹ Brit. /spɪə/, U.S. /spɪ(ə)r/, Scottish English /spir/ Forms: Also speir, spier. Forms: α. Old English spyrian, Middle English spury-, spur-, Middle English–1500s spure, spur, 1500s–1600s spurre; Old English spirian, Middle English spire, Middle English–1500s spyre, Middle English, 1800s spir, Middle English spyr, spirr, spyrr, Middle English–1500s spyrre, Middle English, 1600s spirre. β. Middle English speriȝe, Middle English speryn, Middle English–1500s, 1800s sper, Middle English speore, Middle English– speir, 1500s speire, 1500s–1700s spear, 1700s– spier, Middle English– speer; Middle English Scottish spar, 1600s northern sparre. Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Common Germanic: Old English spyrian , = Old Saxon spurian (compare the nouns spuringa* , spuriđa ), Old High German spurigen , spurien (Middle High German spüren , spürn , German spüren , dialect spieren , spiren ), Old Norse (Icelandic and Norwegian) spyrja (Swedish spörja , Danish spørge , †spørje ); compare also Middle Dutch spören (Dutch speuren ), Low German spören , sporen (hence Danish spore , Swedish spåra ), obsolete German spören , speuren , spuren . For the relationship of the stem spur- , spor- see spoor n.¹In Old English the original senses of ‘to make or follow a track’, ‘to go in search of’, ‘to seek after’, are fully represented. Chiefly Scottish and northern. I. intransitive. 1. a. To put a question or questions; to make inquiries; to ask. Also with adverbs as about, in. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > make inquiries [verb (intransitive)] speerc888 fraynec900 askOE inquirec1375 demand1382 fraista1400 enspeerc1440 hearken1523 question1584 interrogate1622 query1644 the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > ask, enquire [verb (transitive)] fraynea800 speerc888 askOE fand?c1225 inquirec1290 asearch1382 queerc1390 assay1393 to take knowledge of1399 interrogate1600 quaere1627 query1644 α. c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxvi. §2 Genoh ryhte þu spyrast; swa hit is swa þu segst. a1400 Seuyn Sages (W.) 3832 The seriantes..spird obowt als he tham bad. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11475 ‘Gais,’ he said, ‘and spirs well gern’. c1475 Babees Bk. (Harl. 5086) (2002) i. 2 Yf there be eny worde That yee kenne nouhte, spyrre whils yee yt ken. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iii. 486 And on sic maner spyryt he, That he knew that it wes the king. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 731/1 I spurre, I aske a questyon. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 4297 I will tell..How sprittis in hom spake to qwho þat spirre wold. 1659 W. Somner Dict. Saxonico-Latino-Anglicum at Spyrian Lanc. to spirre. β. c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 6820 He that was the maryner Went aboute fast to spere; Of this mariage he herd tel.c1480 (a1400) St. Theodora 228 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 105 Þane mad þe kerlyng sum dangere, wittand scho suld þe ȝarnare spere.1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) I. 75 Exploratouris than haif tha send..That was expert, to speir about.1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 51 Sen thow speiris, I the tell All the suith hale.a1774 R. Fergusson Poems (1785) 154 Whare do ye win, gin ane may spear.a1796 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 56 As ye gae up by yon hillside, Spier in for bonnie Bessy.1808 J. Mayne Siller Gun (new ed.) iii. 67 ‘It sets ye weel, indeed, to speer,’ The Souter answer'd. b. Const. about or anent, after, for, into, of (= concerning). ΚΠ α. 1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 112 Þe kyng in þat forest A moneth lay, to spire for wod & wilde beste. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13628 Quar-for spir yee o þat gom? a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11444 Þai toke þair gesting in þe tun, And spird him efter vp and dun. c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 122 Þai went vnto þis clerkis howse & spirrid after þer maister & his suster. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12429 The kynges into councell callit hir þan, To spir of hor spede. β. ?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 300 He wendes forthe..Of þis nouelry to sper.1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xvi. 21 And he..sperit of his brotheris fair.1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) iv. 494 Heir I saw the men, That ȝhe speir eftir, mak luging.1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xxvii. 573 Whan he founde not his mayster in the chirche, he..spered after him.1568 (a1500) Freiris Berwik 59 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1930) IV. 263 Ffreir Robert sperit eftir the gud man.a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) I. 258 [He] come..cryand and speirand for the king.a1700 F. Sempill Maggie Lauder v Gin ye should come to Anster Fair, Spier ye for Maggie Lauder.1717 A. Ramsay Elegy Lucky Wood xii And after ages bairns will spear 'Bout thee and me.1795 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) II. 796 I spier'd for my cousin..Gin she had recover'd her hearin'.1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering I. i. 10 Troth, I ken na, unless ye like to..speer for quarters at the Place.1824 W. Scott Redgauntlet I. xi. 222 Speer as little about him as he does about you.1866 H. Kingsley Leighton Court xxxiii Of whom were ye speiring? c. Const. at (also †of) a person. Cf. 4. ΚΠ a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15899 Gladli wald he spek and sper Bot at quam he ne wate. 1441 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) p. lvi Sir William Plompton..spirred of the said tenants..of the governance & rule that night. 1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xxi. viii. 852 Syr Launcelot spyrred of men of douer where was kyng Arthur become. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 39 The King..sperit at hym how he had done. a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 137 Gif..he be blinde and can not at the speir. 1584 King James VI & I Ess. Prentise Poesie sig. Hiiij^v I speared at him..What word of Phœnix which was flowen away? a1724 in Ramsay Tea-t. Misc. (1733) I. 28 He first speer'd at the guidman. 1792 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) II. 626 At kith or kin I need na spier. 1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian ix, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. I. 247 What needs ye be aye speering then at folk? 1903 Pilot 22 Aug. 169/1 These things can only be ascertained by ‘speiring’ at the Colonies themselves. †2. To inquire one's way; to make one's way, proceed or go, to a place, etc. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > travel > [verb (intransitive)] nimeOE becomec885 teec888 goeOE i-goc900 lithec900 wendeOE i-farec950 yongc950 to wend one's streetOE fare971 i-wende971 shakeOE winda1000 meteOE wendOE strikec1175 seekc1200 wevec1200 drawa1225 stira1225 glidea1275 kenc1275 movec1275 teemc1275 tightc1275 till1297 chevec1300 strake13.. travelc1300 choosec1320 to choose one's gatea1325 journeyc1330 reachc1330 repairc1330 wisec1330 cairc1340 covera1375 dressa1375 passa1375 tenda1375 puta1382 proceedc1392 doa1400 fanda1400 haunta1400 snya1400 take?a1400 thrilla1400 trace?a1400 trinea1400 fangc1400 to make (also have) resortc1425 to make one's repair (to)c1425 resort1429 ayrec1440 havea1450 speer?c1450 rokec1475 wina1500 hent1508 persevere?1521 pursuec1540 rechec1540 yede1563 bing1567 march1568 to go one's ways1581 groyl1582 yode1587 sally1590 track1590 way1596 frame1609 trickle1629 recur1654 wag1684 fadge1694 haul1802 hike1809 to get around1849 riddle1856 bat1867 biff1923 truck1925 ?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 6166 Be hir tellyng men wer steryd, And diuers to þe saynt speryd, and come in pilgrimage. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ii. vi. 52 To quhilk other forthres sall we speir? 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid vi. v. 147 Speir to the portis quhilkis Velinos hait. 1615 R. Brathwait Strappado 131 Heere stood I musing..Till Iockie wha dost thinke speard vp to me. II. transitive. 3. With objective clause: To inquire or ask how, what, who, etc. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > investigate, examine [verb (transitive)] underseekc897 speerc900 lookeOE askOE seeOE teem witnessc1200 seeka1300 fand13.. inquirec1300 undergoc1315 visit1338 pursuea1382 searcha1382 examinec1384 assay1387 ensearchc1400 vesteyea1425 to have in waitc1440 perpend1447 to bring witnessc1475 vey1512 investigate?1520 recounta1530 to call into (also in) question1534 finger1546 rip1549 sight1556 vestigatea1561 to look into ——1561 require1563 descry?1567 sound1579 question1590 resolve1593 surview1601 undersearch1609 sift1611 disquire1621 indagate1623 inspect1623 pierce1640 shrive1647 in-looka1649 probe1649 incern1656 quaeritate1657 inquisite1674 reconnoitre1740 explore1774 to bring to book1786 look-see1867 scrutate1882 to shake down1915 sleuth1939 screen1942 α. c900 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. xvii. (1722) 499 Hi ða spyredan hwæt and hwonan he wæs. 1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 327 He spired as he ȝede, who did suilk trespas. 1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 198 This lord to spire Began, fro whenne that sche cam. a1400 K. Alis. (W.) 2569 He..spirred whider Darie is went. c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1905) II. 264 Þan þis duke besoght þaim to spur who did þis trispas. 1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 77/1 Therfore spyre and aske how thou maist goo to hym. β. c1325 Metr. Hom. 95 The king..sperid in quat time, and quat cyte, That Goddes sun suld born be.a1470 J. Hardyng Chron. cxvii. viii Buryed he was, but where no man durste spere.c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 1 He speris, quhat thing js bataill.1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) x. 522 Tharfor preuely sperit he Gif ony man mycht fundin be [etc.].c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) xi. 79 His sone pontius sperit quhou he suld vse hym contrar the romans.a1572 J. Knox Hist. Reformation Scotl. in Wks. (1846) I. 241 ‘What sayis thow of the Messe?’ spearis the Erle of Huntley.1637 S. Rutherford Lett. (1863) I. lxxix. 202 Rouse..your soul, and speer how Christ and your soul met together.1686 G. Stuart Joco-serious Disc. 13 I speer'd what news in this gude town.1778 J. Beattie in A. Ross Helenore (ed. 2) Ded. p. vi Nae body car'd For anes to speer how Scota far'd.1817 W. Scott Rob Roy II. v. 95 And is't the way to Glasgow ye were speering if I kenn'd?1871 C. Gibbon For Lack of Gold xiv You needna' speir how I ken. 4. a. To make inquiries concerning, to ask questions regarding (a thing or fact). Also const. at or of (a person). ΚΠ c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 1606 Alle þat he spured hym..he expowned clene. ?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 2622 When many thinges sho had speryd. c1480 (a1400) St. Paul 229 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 35 At þame spere but mare þe cause quhy I gert ȝou cum þare. a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 1169 At qwhome ful sone than gan scho to Inquere, And al the maner of the ostis till spere. c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) Prol. 12 Gyf ony persone vald speir at me, the maneir of the gouernyng of ane battel. a1600 King & Barker 13 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 4 Howr kyng bad hes men abeyde, And he welde sper of hem the wey. 1646 J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) p. xxxiii To informe of thingis that I sall speir at him. 1686 G. Stuart Joco-serious Disc. 14 Ye speer the Gate ye kenn right weel. 1830 J. Galt Lawrie Todd III. ix. viii. 287 Oh, no great sum; ye needna speer that. 1858–61 E. B. Ramsay Reminisc. Sc. Life (1870) ii. 21 It's no the day to be speering sic things. b. With special objects, as tidings, price, etc. to speer (one's) price, to ask one's terms, to ask in marriage. ΚΠ (a) a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5682 Moyses..sett him þar a wel biside, Tiþand for to spir and bide. a1400–50 Alexander 237 And þar [she] hire spakid with his speche & spird of him wordis. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xix. 599 Ilkane at othir sperit tithing. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid iii. ii. 155 My fadir exhortis ws..Apollois ansueir speir. 1597 A. Montgomerie Cherrie & Slae 806 He culd not luck..that all opinions speirit. (b)?a1600 ( R. Sempill Legend Bischop St. Androis in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xlv. 379 For a pair of schone he ast. Bot or he sperit the price to pay them [etc.].1786 R. Burns Poems 26 Monie..hardly, in a winter season, E'er spier her price.1823 J. Galt Entail II. xxviii. 268 I was past thirty before man speer't my price.1837 J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Scott I. vi. 186 We've stood here an hour by the Tron, hinny, and de'il a ane has speered our price. c. To request the return of (money); to ask back. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > request courteously or invite seek1675 speer1818 invite1856 the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > demand > what is due or should be returned again-aska1382 speer1818 1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian xii, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. IV. 258 This siller binds me to naething, and can never be speered back again. d. To ask for (advice); to beg (leave). ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] yearnOE bid971 seek971 askOE beseechc1175 banc1275 yerec1275 cravec1300 desirec1330 impetrec1374 praya1382 nurnc1400 pleadc1400 require1400 fraynec1430 proke1440 requisitea1475 wishc1515 supply1546 request1549 implore?c1550 to speak for ——1560 entreat1565 impetratec1565 obtest?1577 solicit1595 invoke1617 mendicate1618 petition1621 imprecate1636 conjurea1704 speer1724 canvass1768 kick1792 I will thank you to do so-and-so1813 quest1897 to hit a person up for1917 1724 in Ramsay Tea-t. Misc. (1733) I. 101 Love speers nae advice Of parents o'er wise. a1835 in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1886) II. iv. 268/1 She maun cum to the merrie green~wud, And speir the leive o nane. 1866 J. Young Life J. Welsh 403 ‘It's right like, Sir,’ said she; ‘for we never speired his advice’. 1895 S. R. Crockett Men of Moss-hags xxxv. 253 Dinna bide to speer her leave. 5. To trace or find out by inquiry. Usually with out. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > find out, discover [verb (transitive)] > by asking or enquiring askOE speer1390 to get out1530 hark1561 hearken1590 outlearn1596 elicitate1642 elicita1676 the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > find or discover [verb (transitive)] > find by enquiry speer1390 to find forth1601 1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 324 He bad his man to gon and spire A place wher sche myhte abyde. c1480 (a1400) St. Thomas Apostle 10 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 129 Bis[i]ly fore to spere a man, þat sic palace can make. 1562 W. Turner Herball (1568) ii. 39 Perchance som of vs..myght spere it out and fynd it by that name. 1637 S. Rutherford Lett. (1863) I. 434 Oh that people would speer out Christ! 1648 Burgh Rec. Glasgow (1881) II. 157 To speir out men fitting to be employet for the Manufactorie. ?1746 ‘T. Bobbin’ View Lancs. Dial. 23 I soon sperr'd this Gentlemon's Heawse eawt. 1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northants. Words II. 272 Speer it out if you can. With us it is almost obs. 1863 S. S. Jones Northumberland 64/1 Tryin' tae speer oot his station an' character. 6. With cognate object (see also 7): To ask (a question). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > ask, enquire [verb (transitive)] > ask a question askOE puta1350 inquirea1400 speera1500 demand1502 pose1862 to put up1901 lob1952 a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxx. 409 Whi spir ye not, syr, No questyons? c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) xvi. 112 The preist of peblis speris ane questione in ane beuk that he conpilit. 1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 56 But you begyn here to..spurre questions at me on all sides. 1816 W. Scott Old Mortality viii, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. IV. 159 I hae had sae mony questions speered at me in my day. 1889 J. M. Barrie Window in Thrums 168 Ye shouldna spier sic annoyin' queistions. 7. a. To question or interrogate (a person). Usually with const., as of, interrogative clause, or cognate object (cf. 6).Still in Scottish use; also spec. to propose marriage to (a woman). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > interrogation > question, interrogate [verb (transitive)] afraynec1380 speera1400 refraynea1450 searcha1450 questiona1470 interrogate1483 interrogue1484 demanda1513 pose1526 ferret1582 shrive1592 samen?1620 query1653 quiza1843 hackle1891 rag1908 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3826 He spird þaim queþen þai ware. c1400 Anturs of Arthur xx Of thies sperituale thynges spyre me na mare. 1484 in H. E. Malden Cely Papers (1900) 153 He speryd me noo oder questyans. 1568 V. Skinner tr. R. González de Montes Discouery Inquisition of Spayne f. 22^v He shall ride the racke, and there be spurred certeyne questions. 1594 J. Lyly Mother Bombie iv. ii. sig. F4 Ile be so bolde as spurre her, what might a bodie call her name? 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxiii. xii. 481 b Seeing a Senatour bluntly spurreth me the question. †b. To call upon or demand formally. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > demand bid971 ofgoOE askOE cravec1025 to call after ——?a1300 requirea1382 callc1430 protest1459 to call for ——1479 demand1489 speer1493 command1576 to put (also place, call, etc.) in (or into) requisition1831 requisition1874 1493 Festivall (1515) 193 All those..that haue ben spyred thryse in holy chyrche themselfe wyttynge. c. To invite. ΚΠ 1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor viii, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. I. 224 Just that ye suld speer ony gentleman hame to dinner. Derivatives ˈspeerer n. rare. an inquirer. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > [noun] > an enquirer, questioner asker?c1225 questioner?a1425 querorc1450 speererc1480 inquirer?c1570 querist1633 querier1672 inquirist1748 queryist1863 c1480 (a1400) St. Machor 1140 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 33 Þarfor lewe forthir to spere..; for sperer of his maieste fra his Joy sall donne thrungine be. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online June 2022). speerv.² /spɪə/ Etymology: perhaps identical with speer v.¹, influenced by peer v.³ dialect and U.S. intransitive. To peer. Const. at, into, out. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > peer toot?c1225 porec1300 pirea1393 peer1580 pink1587 under-peer1589 blink1600 to look wormsc1600 squinny1608 pee1673 pore1706 pinker1754 styme1808 speer1866 squint1891 quiz1906 skeeze1922 1866 R. D. Blackmore Cradock Nowell (1873) xlv. 293 Out went Eöa, speering around for the tracks of Bob. 1866 J. Sleigh Attempt at Derbyshire Gloss. (E.D.D.) To speer and pry into any thing. 1885 B. Harte Maruja i. 17 She a flirt, speerin' at men, with that modest downcast air? 1895 Pall Mall Gaz. 2 Dec. 3/2 We all speered out to catch a glimpse of the Injiman. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online September 2018). < n.¹1379n.²1607n.³1788n.⁴1825v.¹c888v.²1866
随便看	trefoil juice trefoil leaf trefoil seed trefoil-headed trefoil-like trefoil-purpled trefoil-wise trefoiled trefoilheaded trefoillike trefoilpurpled trefoils trefoilwise trefoliated trefoot trefoth trefte tregar treget tregetour tregetours tregetry tregetting trehala trehala-manna

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speerv.1

Derivatives

speerv.2

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