speer

¹

or speir, spier

[ speer ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. Chiefly Scot. to ask; inquire.

Speer

²

[ speer; German shpeyr ]

noun

1. Al·bert [al, -bert, ahl, -be, r, t], 1905–81, German Nazi leader: appointed by Hitler as official Nazi architect.

Word History and Origins

Origin of speer¹

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

William Speer, 49, had been set to receive a lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville.

From Washington Times

Speer was convicted of the strangling death of Gary Dickerson in July 1997 at the Telford state prison, located near New Boston in northeast Texas.

From Washington Times

His attorneys had asked the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to stop his execution over allegations that prosecutors at his 2001 trial failed to disclose evidence, presented false testimony and that his trial lawyers failed to present evidence about Speer’s troubled childhood.

From Washington Times

CDT, the appeals court granted the request by Speer’s attorneys.

From Washington Times

His lawyers said Speer has transformed while in prison, expressed regret for his actions and now helps lead a religious program that ministers to other death row inmates.

From Washington Times