A Concise Dictionary of Middle English from A.D. 1150 to 1580

by A. L. Mayhew; Walter W. Skeat

[ Sperd], pt. s. of [Spiren], q.v.

[ Spere], sb. sphere, Prompt., CM; speir, S3.—OF. espere; Late Lat. spera, sphera; Gr. σφαῖρα.

[ Spere], sb. spear, S, C, Prompt.—AS. spere; cp. OHG. sper (Tatian).

[ Speren], v. to fasten with a spar, to close, S, Cath.; sperre, Cath.; speride, pt. s., S2; sperd, pp., S, H; sperrid, H.—AS. sparrian. See [Sparre].

[ Sperhauke], sb. sparrow-hawk, P; see under Sparwe.

[ Sperling], sb. a small fish, S2; sperlynge, Cath., Voc.; sparlynge, Cath. (n); spurling, Cath. (n).—OF. esperlan, smelt (Cotg.).

[ Spet], pr. s. of [Speden], q.v.

[ Speten], v. to spit, S, W2, Voc., CM; spette, pt. s., W, SD; spete, W; speten, pl., W; spetide, pt. s., W.—AS. spǽtan, pt. spǽtte.

[ Spewen], v. to vomit, Cath.; spue, W2.—AS. spíwan, pt. spáw, pp. spiwen.

[ Spice], sb. species, kind, spice, W; spyce, Voc.; spices, pl., S, P. Comb.: spicelike, with spices, S; spices ware, spicery, S.—OF. espice; Late Lat. spĕcia (for Lat. spĕciem), see BH, § 32. See [Spece].