Spirelet
/ˈspaɪə.lət/noun
A small or subordinate spire, especially one forming part of a church, tower, or other architectural structure.
Did you know?The root behind spirelet is connected with the ancient Greek idea of coiling and winding, reflecting how a pointed architectural form can rise like a spiral frozen in stone.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sper- / *spei-
“To twist, wind, or coil; the reconstructed source associated with later spiral forms.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σπεῖρα (speira)
“A coil, winding, spiral, or band wound around something.”
Classical Latin
Latin
spīra
“A coil or winding; later also a spiral architectural form.”
Old English
Old English
spīr
“A spire, stalk, or tall pointed structure.”
Middle English
Middle English
spire
“A steeple or pointed summit, especially on a church.”
Modern English
English
spirelet
“A small spire, formed with the diminutive suffix -let.”