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.

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spiry ² American  

[spahy-ree] / ˈspaɪ ri /

adjective

1. spiral; coiled; coiling; helical.

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spiry British  

/ ˈspaɪərɪ /

adjective

1. poetic of spiral form; helical

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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

So trim and tasteful are these silvery, spiry groves one would fancy they must have been placed in position by some master landscape gardener, their regularity seeming almost conventional.

From My First Summer in the Sierra by Muir, John

As on the ears of growing corn the dews Fall grateful, while the spiry grain erect Bristles the fields, so, Menelaus, felt Thy inmost soul a soothing pleasure sweet!

From The Iliad of Homer Translated into English Blank Verse by William Cowper by Cowper, William

The grass-plot was full of romantic light, and on its eastern margin was an etching of spiry spruce.

From Wild Life on the Rockies by Mills, Enos Abijah

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

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

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 Kingsley, Charles