Obs. Forms: α. 1 spærlira (etc.), 4 sparlire, sperlire, 4–5 sparlyr(e. β. 4–5 sparlyver, -uer, 5 sperlyver. [OE. spær-, spearlíra (also sper-, speoru-), f. spearwa calf of the leg + líra LIRE sb.1 The later change of -lire to -liver is irregular.] The calf of the leg.

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  α.  c. 1000.  Ælfric, Deut. xxviii. 35. Slea þe drihten mid þam wirstan yfele on cneowum and on spearlirum.

2

13[?].  Sir Beues, 2487. Be þe riȝt leg ȝhe him grep,… Þat neȝ ȝhe braide out is sparlire.

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13[?].  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 158. Heme wel haled, hose of þat same grene, Þat spenet on his sparlyr & clene spures vnder.

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a. 1400.  Octouian, 330. The ape hym boot full ylle Thorgh the sparlyre.

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  β.  c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 92. Þe Lord schal smyte þee wiþ moost yvel biel in knees and in sparlyveris.

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1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), V. 355. For þat tyme þe Longobardes usede strapeles wiþ brode laces doun to þe sparlyver.

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14[?].  Parts Body, in Wr.-Wülcker, 632. Musculus, the sperlyver.

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