14th century, a form related to the Old English word spir, meaning a sprout, shoot, or stalk of grass.

Gothic spires

The Gothic church spire originated in the 12th century as a simple, four-sided pyramidal structure on top of a church tower. The spire could be constructed of masonry, as at Salisbury Cathedral, or of wood covered with lead, as at Notre-Dame de Paris. Gradually, spires became taller, slimmer,

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