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

by A. L. Mayhew; Walter W. Skeat

[ Spicer], sb. dealer in spices, P, S2; spyserez, pl., S2.

[ Spicerye], sb. spicery, S2, C2, C3.—AF. spicerie.

[ Spie], sb. spy, PP; see [Aspie].

[ Spien], v. to spy, to look after, to watch, S; see [Espye].

[ Spilen], v. to play, S; spilede, pt. s., S.—Icel. spila; cp. G. spielen.

[ Spilien], v. to speak, S; see [Spellien].

[ Spillen], v. to perish, also to destroy, S, S2, C2, C3, P; spyllen, S2; spill, S3; spilt, pp., killed, C3; y-spilte, PP.—AS. spillan, to destroy (Grein).

[ Spire], sb. shoot, scion, blade, tall grass, reed, PP, S, G, CM; spyre, Prompt., PP, Palsg.; spier, W2.

[ Spiren], v. to enquire, speer, PP; speren, PP; speoren, PP; spuren, PP; spirs, imp. pl., S2; spird, pt. pl., S2; sperd, pt. s., S3.—AS. spyrian, to make a track, from spor, track, see SkD (s.v. spur).

[ Splene], sb. the spleen, Prompt.; splen, SkD. Phr.: on the splene, suddenly, S3; fro the splene, with sudden fervour, rapidly, S3.—Lat. splen.