[f. as prec. + -ING1.]
1. Aspiration, steadfast upward desire, longing.
1584. Copie of Letter, 46. Neither is this arte of aspiring new or straunge.
1633. P. Fletcher, Purple Isl., VI. v. To lackey one of these is all my prides aspiring.
1783. W. F. Martyn, Geog. Mag., II. 55. Frozen regions … might naturally be supposed to damp the aspirings of genius.
1821. Southey, Vis. Judgem., xi. Wks. X. 238. Here were the gallant youths of high heroic aspiring.
† 2. The upward tapering of a spire, etc. Obs. rare.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 21 (T.). Nor are those so fastidious in pyramidical aspirings, nor curious in architecture … as in many lesser towns.
