† speirn.1
Obsolete.
Hope; expectation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > [noun]
hightOE
weenOE
hopec1200
speir1303
espeire1393
esperancec1430
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 6476 Þy sone ys now yn þe same speyre; he shal nat þenk þat he shal deye.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 5790 To haue a lord þey were in speyr.
c1400 St. Alexius (Laud 622) 1030 To þi comyng was al my speire, To haue ymade of þee myne eire.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
† speirn.2
Obsolete. rare.
Despair; despondency.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > despair, hopelessness > [noun]
forlornnessc825
unhope?c1225
wanhope1297
speir13..
wantrokingc1350
mishopea1400
desperacy1629
Slough of Despond1776
hopelessness1853
unhopefulness1868
13.. Eufrosyne 9 in Hortsm. Altengl. Leg. (1878) 174 Þis mon was sori and in gret speir, For he hedde of his bodi non heir.
14.. Tundale's Vis. 1008 Tundale feld a stynkyng ayr, Then of his lyffe he was in speyr.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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