Obs. Forms: 4 speyr(e, 4–5 speire. [ad. OF. espeir(e ESPEIRE.] Hope; expectation.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 6476. Þy sone ys now yn þe same speyre; he shal nat þenk þat he shal deye. Ibid. (c. 1330), Chron. Wace (Rolls), 5790. To haue a lord þey were in speyr.
c. 1400. St. Alexius (MS. Laud 622), 1030. To þi comyng was al my speire, To haue ymade of þee myne eire.
