Spiring Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🌿
Add to dictionary

spiring

[ˈspʌɪərɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

breathing out

Spiring is the present participle of the verb 'spire,' which means to rise or extend upwards, often used in relation to structures or plants. It can also refer to the act of breathing out, particularly in relation to plants that release oxygen.

Synonyms

ascending, extending, rising.

Examples of usage

  • The tower was spiring towards the sky.
  • The leaves were spiring in the gentle breeze.
  • She felt her breath spiring out into the cold air.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'spiring'

The term 'spiring' is derived from the Middle English word 'spiren,' which comes from the Old English 'spirian,' meaning 'to breathe or rise.' This word is related to the notion of spires in architecture and naturally occurring elements, suggesting an upward motion. As language evolved, 'spire' began to encapsulate both the physical representation of upward growth in structures like cathedrals and plants, as well as a metaphorical ascent in various contexts. Its usage has expanded to encapsulate not only literal rising but also more abstract forms of elevation in emotion, thought, and spirit, thereby enriching its application in modern English.